Smail Prevljak


Smail Prevljak is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Croatian Football League club Istra 1961.
Prevljak started his professional career at RB Leipzig, playing mainly in its reserve team. In 2014, he was loaned to Red Bull Salzburg, who assigned him to Liefering later that year. The following year, he moved to Red Bull Salzburg on permanent basis. Prevljak was sent on loan to Mattersburg in 2017 and to Eupen in 2020, with whom he signed permanently later that year. In 2023, he joined Hertha BSC. Two years later, he moved to Istra 1961.
A former youth international for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Prevljak made his senior international debut in 2018, earning over 20 caps until 2023.

Club career

Early career

Prevljak started playing football at his hometown club Igman Konjic, before joining the youth academy of German team RB Leipzig in 2013. He made his professional debut against VfR Aalen on 2 August 2014 at the age of 19.

Red Bull Salzburg

In August, Prevljak was sent on a season-long loan to Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg. He made his official debut for the side on 9 November against Altach. On 3 October, he scored his first professional goal playing for Red Bull Salzburg's feeder squad, Liefering, in a triumph over Wacker Innsbruck.
In June 2015, he moved to Red Bull Salzburg permanently. On 23 August, he scored his first goal for the team against Austria Wien. Prevljak scored his first career hat-trick in a triumph over FAC on 6 November.
In April 2016, 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 ten months after the injury, on 24 February 2017, he returned to the pitch.
In June, Prevljak was loaned to Mattersburg until the end of the season.
In June 2018, he signed a new four-year contract with Red Bull Salzburg. On 16 December, he scored four goals in a defeat of St. Pölten. He won his first trophy with the club on 1 May 2019, by beating Rapid Wien in the Austrian Cup final.

Eupen

In January 2020, Prevljak was sent on a six-month loan to Belgian side Eupen. He made his competitive debut for the squad against St. Truiden on 8 February and managed to score a goal.
In August, Eupen signed him on a three-year deal.
He scored his first hat-trick for the club in a win over Charleroi on 17 April 2021.

Hertha BSC

In July 2023, Prevljak joined Hertha BSC on a contract until June 2025. He debuted officially for the team on 4 August against Wehen Wiesbaden. On 26 August, he scored his first goal for Hertha BSC in a beating of Greuther Fürth.

Later stage of career

In July 2025, Prevljak moved to Croatian outfit Istra 1961.

International career

Prevljak was a member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina under-21 team under coach Darko Nestorović.
In March 2018, he received his first senior call up, for friendly games against Bulgaria and Senegal. He debuted against the former on 23 March.
On 15 November 2020, in a 2020–21 [UEFA Nations League A#Group 1|2020–21 UEFA Nations League A] match against the Netherlands, Prevljak scored his first senior international goal.

Personal life

Prevljak married his long-time girlfriend Nejra in March 2017. Together they have two sons named Sami and Kani.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
115 November 2020Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands41–31–32020–21 UEFA Nations League A
24 September 2021Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina111–01–0Friendly
39 October 2021Astana Arena, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan131–02–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
49 October 2021Astana Arena, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan132–02–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
54 June 2022Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland191–11–12022–23 UEFA Nations League B
67 June 2022Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina201–01–02022–23 UEFA Nations League B

Honours

Red Bull Salzburg