Profis |

17.01.2022

Muharem Huskovic extends contract long-term

Austria Wien and Muharem Huskovic have agreed to extend their contract, which expires in the summer, until the summer of 2025. The 18-year-old attacking player became a permanent fixture for the Violets last fall.

©Daniel Shaked | www.danielshaked.com

Huskovic has played for Austria Wien since the summer of 2016 and subsequently progressed through the violet academy ranks from U15 to U18, where he repeatedly demonstrated his talent and qualities. In the spring of 2020, Harald Suchard promoted Huskovic to the Young Violets, where he set a record just a few weeks later.

Youngest hat-trick scorer in the 2. Liga

On July 17, 2020, Huskovic advanced to become the youngest player since the inception of the Bundesliga in 1974/75 to score three or more goals in a match in the second-tier division in an 8-2 home win over Juniors OÖ at the age of 17 years and 135 days. Huskovic finished the season as the Young Violets' second-leading scorer with five goals.

In September 2020, Huskovic signed his first professional contract with Austria Wien. By the 2020/21 season, he was part of Harald Suchard's absolute core, with Huskovic scoring four goals in 24 games. Huskovic made his Bundesliga debut on January 26, 2021, when he was substituted in the Violet's 4-0 away win at Admira.

Goals in the Bundesliga and for Austria

After playing four more games in the 2. Liga in July and August 2021, the offensive player has since only appeared in the Bundesliga under coach Manfred Schmid. His first assist on September 12 against LASK (for the 2-1 winning goal by Noah Ohio) was followed by his debut goal (for the 1-1 equalizer and final score) against WSG Tirol on October 31 in the top division.

Huskovic has so far made 27 caps for Austria's junior national teams. His debut for the U18 team in June 2021 was followed by one for the U19 team in September and two goals in the U19 European Championship qualifiers in October. In November, Huskovic made his debut for the U21 national team, assisting the penalty to make it 2-0 and setting up the final goal in a 3-0 win over Azerbaijan in the European Championship qualifiers.

Quotes on the contract extension

Muharem Huskovic: "My first thought was always to stay at Austria Wien and I'm glad that I can continue to make my way here. I just feel comfortable and I think that's enormously important to perform well. Of course, there were also offers from abroad that might have come into question for some others, but for me this was now the only right solution for my further development and career. We have set goals for ourselves as a team and for myself personally, of course, and we want to make it into the championship group and get an international starting spot together. That's where I want to help the team with strong performances and as many goals as possible."

Manuel Ortlechner, Sports Director: "From Austria Wien's point of view, it's great to be able to continue to inspire one of Austria's most exciting and sought-after young players for us. This clearly speaks for the path we took in the summer and Muki also represents this, our path. He is not only an outstanding, willing and ambitious footballer, but also a great guy who is nevertheless humble and modest and identifies 100 percent with Austria Wien. That's what it's all about. This extension, even over this period, is a clear message of how attractive this new, progressive Austria Wien path is for young players - both internally and externally. Muki has developed extremely in recent years in the academy, with the Young Violets in the 2. Liga and ultimately in the Bundesliga and is definitely one of the winners of the fall. We've been working a lot with our young players lately, and of course Muki, and we're happy about this extension."

Manfred Schmid, head coach: "I'm immensely pleased that one of Austria's greatest hope for the future has chosen Austria Wien and our path. Muki has a very professional attitude to the sport and always wants to improve. I am 100 percent convinced that we will still have a lot of fun with him."

©Daniel Shaked | www.danielshaked.com