Stefan Bajic (footballer, born 2001) explained

Stefan Bajic
Birth Date:23 December 2001
Birth Place:Saint-Étienne, France
Height:1.91 m
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Bristol City
Clubnumber:23
Youthyears1:2007–2019
Youthclubs1:Saint-Étienne
Years1:2018–2022
Clubs1:Saint-Étienne B
Caps1:25
Goals1:0
Years2:2019–2022
Clubs2:Saint-Étienne
Caps2:9
Goals2:0
Years3:2022
Clubs3:Pau
Caps3:15
Goals3:0
Years4:2022–
Clubs4:Bristol City
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Years5:2023
Clubs5:Valenciennes (loan)
Caps5:11
Goals5:0
Nationalyears1:2016–2017
Nationalteam1:France U16
Nationalcaps1:7
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2017–2018
Nationalteam2:France U17
Nationalcaps2:3
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2018
Nationalteam3:France U18
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2019
Nationalteam4:France U19
Nationalcaps4:11
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:2022
Nationalteam5:France U21
Nationalcaps5:1
Nationalgoals5:0
Club-Update:28 June 2023
Nationalteam-Update:28 March 2022

Stefan Bajic (Serbian: Стефан Бајић/Stefan Bajić; born 23 December 2001) is a French professional footballer who plays as goalkeeper for club Bristol City.

Bajic joined Saint-Étienne at age six, and over the years has climbed through the club's U17, U19 and reserve teams, breaking into the first team at age 18. He has represented France internationally at youth level, from the under-16s to the under-21s, as well as the Olympic team at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Early life

Bajic was born on 23 December 2001, in Saint-Étienne, France, and is of Serbian descent.[1]

Club career

Saint-Étienne

Youth system

Bajic first joined Saint-Étienne at age six, gradually progressing through the club's youth teams, before finding himself at the under-17 level. His performances in the Championnat National U17 earned him his first international call-up for the France national under-16 football team.

2018–19 season

On 2 May 2018, Bajic signed his first professional contract, to the end of the 2020–21 season.[2]

On 8 April 2019, Bajic extended his contract for a further year.[3] [4] Bajic also led the club's U19 team through its Coupe Gambardella campaign, which ended with a 2–0 victory over Toulouse's U19 side in the Final on 27 April.[5]

2019–20 season

After assistant coach Ghislain Printant took over from Gasset, Bajic became Saint-Étienne's third choice, surpassing Vermot.[6] Bajic made his senior debut on 25 September 2019, with both Ruffier and Moulin suffering from minor injuries. The game against Metz resulted in Saint-Étienne's fourth defeat in five games, with a scoreline of 1–0.[7] Bajic became the Greens youngest-ever player to start a Ligue 1 match.[8]

2020–21 season

Bajic played in the Coupe de France fixture for the round of 64 on 11 February, against Sochaux, as Moulin felt discomfort in his hamstring,[9] which Saint-Étienne lost 1–0. After Moulin also contracted the disease and later injured his groin, Bajic played his first league game in over a year on 19 March; Saint-Étienne lost 4–0 to Monaco.

Pau

On 4 February 2022, Bajic signed with Pau in Ligue 2.[10]

Bristol City

On 5 July 2022, Bajic signed with Bristol City in the EFL Championship on a three-year deal.[11]

On 19 January 2023, Bajic returned to France to join Valenciennes on loan until the end of the season.[12]

International career

Bajic was called up to represent the France national under-19 team at the 2019 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[13]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Saint-Étienne B2018–19Championnat National 2140140
2019–20Championnat National 2100100
2021–22Championnat National 31010
Total250250
Saint-Étienne2019–20Ligue 11000000010
2020–21Ligue 1101020
2021–22Ligue 1702090
Total90300000120
Pau2021–22Ligue 215000150
Bristol City2022–23EFL Championship00001010
2023–24EFL Championship00000000
Total00001010
Valenciennes (loan)2022–23Ligue 211000110
Career total600301000640

Honours

Saint-Étienne B

Saint-Étienne U19

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Revivez le multiplex de Ligue 1 / Ligue 1 / J7 / Multiplex / SOFOOT.com .
  2. Web site: First professional contract for Stefan Bajic . ASSE.fr.
  3. Web site: Le Figaro . Par . 4 August 2019 . Bajic lié à Saint-Etienne jusqu'en 2022 . Bajic linked to Saint-Etienne until 2022 . 30 July 2021 . LEFIGARO . fr.
  4. Web site: 8 April 2019 . Saint-Étienne: Stefan Bajic prolonge un an . Saint-Étienne: Stefan Bajic extends one year . 30 July 2021 . L'Équipe . fr.
  5. Web site: Hagege . Luc . 27 April 2019 . Saint-Étienne gagne sa quatrième Coupe Gambardella aux dépens de Toulouse . Saint-Étienne wins his fourth Gambardella Cup at the expense of Toulouse . 30 July 2019 . L'Équipe . fr.
  6. Web site: Tanzi . Loïc . 6 July 2020 . Saint-Etienne: Puel retient Stefan Bajic . Saint-Etienne: Puel retains Stefan Bajic . 20 July 2021 . RMC SPORT . fr.
  7. Web site: Saint-Etienne vs. Metz - 25 September 2019 - Soccerway . us.soccerway.com.
  8. Web site: Chirat . Antoine . 25 September 2019 . ASSE: Bajic, plus jeune gardien de l'histoire des Verts . ASSE: Bajic, youngest goalkeeper in the history of the Greens . 30 July 2021 . Onze Mondial . fr.
  9. Web site: Cotard . Jason . ASSE: la surprise que prépare Puel pour la Coupe de France . ASSE: the surprise that Puel prepares for the Coupe de France . 30 July 2021 . Onze Mondial . 10 February 2021 . fr . 10 February 2021.
  10. Pau. L'international espoirs. 4 February 2022. 12 February 2022. fr.
  11. Web site: Bristol City. BAJIC IS A ROBIN. 5 July 2022. 11 July 2022.
  12. Web site: BAJIC JOINS VALENCIENNES FC ON LOAN. www.bcfc.co.uk. 19 January 2023. 19 January 2023.
  13. Web site: U19 : Bajic et Abi vers l'Euro ! - ASSE - EVECT . EVECT.fr.