Sead Kolašinac

Schalke 04

Kolašinac started playing football at his hometown club Karlsruher SC, which he joined in 2001. In 2009, he moved to TSG Hoffenheim's youth academy. A year later, he switched to VfB Stuttgart's youth setup. In 2011, he went to Schalke 04's youth academy. In June 2012, he signed his first professional contract with the team. He made his professional debut against Greuther Fürth on 15 September at the age of 19. Kolašinac debuted in the UEFA Champions League away at Montpellier on 4 December. In June 2013, he extended his deal with the squad until June 2017. In August 2014, he suffered a severe knee injury, which was diagnosed as an anterior cruciate ligament tear and was ruled out for at least six months. Over seven months after the injury, on 11 April 2015, he returned to the pitch. On 13 December, he scored his first professional goal against FC Augsburg. He played his 100th game for the club on 3 December 2016 against RB Leipzig, managed to score a goal and an own goal.

Arsenal

In June 2017, Kolašinac signed a five-year contract with English side Arsenal.

2017–18 season

He made his official debut for the club in the 2017 FA Community Shield match against Chelsea on 6 August, scored a goal and won his first trophy. A week later, he made his league debut against Leicester City. In September 2017, he was voted Arsenal's Player of the Month for August. On 28 October, he scored his first league goal for the squad in a triumph over…

Despite representing Germany at various youth levels, Kolašinac decided to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the senior level. In November 2013, his request to change sports citizenship from German to Bosnian was approved by FIFA. Later that month, he received his first senior call up, for a friendly game against Argentina, and debuted in that match on 18 November. In June 2014, Kolašinac was named in Bosnia and Herzegovina's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, country's first ever major competition. He made his tournament debut in the opening group tie against Argentina on 15 June. In June 2026, Kolašinac was selected for Bosnia and Herzegovina's team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He started in the opening group fixture against Canada on 12 June.

During his career, Kolašinac has been deployed as a centre-back and as a defensive midfielder, although he spent most of the time playing as a left-back. He possesses very strong body build and strength.

Kolašinac married his long-time girlfriend Susubelle in June 2019. Together they have a daughter named Soleil. He is a practising Muslim; together with international teammates Ibrahim Šehić, Muhamed Bešić, Armin Hodžić, Izet Hajrović, Edin Višća and Ervin Zukanović he visited a mosque in Zenica during the national team's concentration. In July 2019, he and his then teammate Mesut Özil were victims of an attempted carjacking, which Kolašinac successfully fought off.