Alajbegovic’s Bianconeri quest

It’s certainly been an unforgettable couple of months for Kerim Alajbegovic. After starring for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the 18-year-old joined Italian giants Juventus.

The Bianconeri beat off competition from several other heavyweights to sign the Germany-born winger. Now coach Luciano Spalletti boasts a player capable of making an impact for many years to come.

A rising star

Alajbegovic came through the youth systems at hometown club Cologne and Bayer Leverkusen. The starlet joined FC Salzburg on a permanent deal in July last year and enjoyed an outstanding campaign that prompted the 2023/24 Bundesliga champions to exercise their buy-back clause this past March.

Juventus got the transfer over the line in the last few days, agreeing an initial fee of 30 million euros (plus a further five million in possible add-ons) to secure the winger’s services until 2031.

A World Cup launchpad

Even before FIFA’s flagship men’s tournament, Alajbegovic had already announced himself to Italian football and beyond with an eye-catching display in his nation’s play-off victory over the country where he now resides. It was a night to forget for the Azzurri, but one that will live long in the memor of the youngster and his compatriots.

Bosnia and Herzegovina made a slow start to the tournament, drawing 1-1 with co-hosts Canada in their opener, with Alajbegovic coming off the bench for the final 15 minutes, before suffering a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland, when he played almost the entire match.

Everything changed for the better in the nation's third group game, in which Alajbegovic broke the deadlock with a stunning strike against Qatar and was named the Superior Player of the Match.

“I think it was a pretty good goal, to be honest,” he told FIFA after the contest. “To score like that in my first World Cup at my age is incredible. I’m really happy and grateful because it’s something I could never have imagined. “I dedicate the goal to my parents because they’re always there for me. It makes me really happy that I thought of them straight after I scored.”

The Dragons’ campaign came to an end against USA in the Round of 32, but Alajbegovic’s story is only just beginning.

Why Juventus went for him

Spalletti has long favoured creative wide players who are given the freedom to express themselves. In that respect, Alajbegovic appears an ideal fit. The Italian coach famously helped develop Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at Napoli, turning a relatively unknown arrival into one of the world’s leading players in his position.

Alajbegovic is most comfortable on the left wing, similar to a certain Kenan Yildiz, but his technical prowess allows him to operate anywhere across the frontline and even in the pocket behind the forwards. He is also outstanding in one-v-one situations, which is a quality that Spalletti values highly in his attackers.

Juventus will not expect the teenager to carry the team from day one, but there is no shortage of talent to mould and build on. Having already served up flashes of brilliance on the beautiful game’s grandest stage at such a young age, Alajbegovic now faces the most important challenge of his fledgling career: turning immense potential into sustained excellence. If he succeeds, Serie A may have unearthed one of its next leading lights.