Armin Bačinović

Early career in Slovenia

Bačinović started his career at Železničar Maribor and was later transferred to NK Maribor youth sides. He signed his first professional contract in 2007. Bačinović made his first team debut on 7 July 2007 as a late substitute in an Intertoto Cup tie with Hajduk Kula. His first start came later that season in Slovenian PrvaLiga match, a 1–1 draw with Nafta Lendava. On 14 August 2010, he made his 100th appearance for Maribor.

Palermo and loans

On 27 August 2010, it was confirmed that Palermo had acquired Bačinović and teammate Josip Iličić from Maribor in a permanent move; the move was finalized the very next day after Palermo had eliminated Maribor from the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League in a 5–3 aggregate win, which was also the latest appearance for both players in purple jersey. Despite his young age and lack of experience in Italian football, Bačinović immediately established himself as a key player in the Sicilians' midfield line in a 4–3–2–1 scheme together with Antonio Nocerino and Giulio Migliaccio, and scored his first goal for Palermo on 17 October 2010 against Bologna. On 20 June 2011, he signed a new five-year contract with Palermo. In July 2012, Palermo loaned Bačinović to Serie B club Verona. He played only a handful games during the season and left Verona by the end of the season to come back at Palermo. After a disappointing first half of season at Palermo, he was deemed surplus to requirements and excluded from the…

Bačinović made 10 appearances for Slovenia U21 and scored one goal. On 12 August 2009, he made his full international debut for Slovenia at Ljudski vrt, Maribor in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match against San Marino, coming on as a 74th-minute substitute for Aleksandar Radosavljević, and earned a total of 13 caps, scoring no goals. His final international was a February 2013 friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As of 30 December 2012