I was a Barcelona wonderkid with the world at my feet, then I failed in England – now I’m joining my 12th club aged 27
FORMER Barcelona wonderkid Alen Halilovic has signed for Fortuna Sittard – the 12th club of his career.
The Croatian has become something of a journeyman aged 27, having failed to live up to his early promise.
Halilovic first impressed after rising through the ranks at Dinamo Zagreb and has won ten Croatia caps.
He spent two years in the first-team at Dinamo before signing for Barca aged just 17.
Barcelona gave the midfielder a five-year contract but his spell at the Nou Camp ended in disaster with Halilovic making just one appearance for the club.
He joined Hamburg in 2016 following a loan spell at LaLiga side Sporting Gijon but also struggled to make his mark in Germany.
Halilovic made six Bundesliga appearances and spent two years on loan at Las Palmas, where he impressed enough to earn a move to AC Milan.
He was still only 21 at the time but he suffered the same fate as his Barcelona stint, making just three appearances for Milan before joining Standard Liege on loan.
Further disappointment followed as Halilovic tried to resurrect his career in England.
He scored one goal in 17 games for Birmingham in the Championship and also struggled at Reading before returning to his native Croatia with Rijeka.
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Halilovic has now joined his 12th club in Fortuna Sittard and is chancing his arm in the Netherlands once again following a loan spell at Heerenveen in 2019-20.
He is excited by the challenge and Fortuna boss Americo Blanco is hopeful he can get the best out of the once highly-rated young talent.
Haliklovic said: “It feels good to be back in the Netherlands.
“I have recently spoken with Stipe Radic and Ivo Pinto, they were very enthusiastic about Fortuna and the plans.
“In any case, I am looking forward to being on the field here in the Fortuna Sittard Stadium and meeting the supporters.”
Blanco added: “Alen was always known as a great talent, we believe he still has that in him.
“We are convinced the environment Fortuna can offer brings out the best in him, allowing him to return to his old level.
“We are in any case confident that he will be of value to us.”