He left a team that was ready for the European Games. Moved to a second resort in Crete.
Then it was a great success and scored 17 goals for Admir Bagrovich, 26.
– The phone is ringing all the time, says the attacker.
Sportbladet has already written about it Admir Bajrovics A strange journey through football in Europe.
Alvesta-born Bagruvich was the giant talent who left IFK Trollhättan when he was aged 16, moving to Dutch NEC Nijmegen and scoring eight internationals and two goals for Sweden’s under-17 and under-19 teams before a cruciate ligament injury slowed his career dramatically.
Through matches with Ljungskile, Öster and Gefle, the striker went to Greek Panetolikos where he earned 13 goals in 1.5 seasons on a lucrative contract with Romanian side Sepsi and then the first.
– It was a great opportunity that I had to take. Sepsi was good but I never had a chance. Bagrovic tells Sportbladet that the club qualified for the Europa League, but it was a tough year for me.
started again
So neither he nor the club exercised the option year in the contract.
The attacker decided to restart a year ago. repeatedly.
So he went where a hundred thousand Swedes vacation.
To Chania on the Greek island of Crete in the second class.
– I chose not to participate in teams in the first leagues that had three more strikers who would be in front of me in the queue. I knew I was going to play in Chania and do about 30 matches, says Bagrovic.
– If you play 30 games from the start as a striker, you have to score 10-15 goals, otherwise you can put your shoes on the rack – or become a midfielder.
The 26-year-old Swede played 28 games from the start, scoring 17 goals and four assists.
He finished second in the shooting league and Chania fifth in the recently ended league.
– The club sought to get into the Greek first division, and in this way the season was a little unsuccessful, but for me personally it was a success, admits Admir Bajrovic.
– I’m proud of my achievement. It came a long way.
Had the club been promoted to the Premier League, the contract would have automatically been extended by one year. Now he is free to move if he wants to again – for the tenth time.
How do you deal with all the club changes?
– This is my job and I love playing football. It is important to try to find the right environment, but it is not always easy. There are many different factors to consider. But you learn all the time.
I am tourist paradise
– Chania felt right: a well-run family club, a good environment, a good city, I knew I was going to play and that the family would thrive.
The family – wife Melissa, son Aman, 1.5 years old and another child on the way – lives in an apartment ten minutes walk from the old port of Chania.
What is life like as a professional footballer in Crete?
– Quieter than on the mainland and in the highlands. There you can not go out in the city after the game. Here we can take a walk and get to know the football fans. It went well for me and then ice cream and pancakes will be served to the family in various tourist places.
In the Greek second division, he faced the reserve teams of the big clubs of Athens and the smaller associations of Rhodes or Zakynthos.
– It’s a little weird in Sweden’s ears and there are some nice environments around the arenas when you walk in early on match days, says Bagrovic. Although the beaches are close, I didn’t come here to be a tourist and lay on the beach. I invested heavily in football and focused on it.
How is the economy?
– I have a good salary because I played in the Greek first division before and I did a good job there as a striker. Plus, I have nice goal bonuses.
Are you getting your salary on time?
– Not always, but I take it out – because I played well. It’s even worse if you don’t live up to expectations, he says with a laugh.
Offers rejected
One week of training and then a week or so left with a holiday for the tourist before he and his family returned, albeit temporarily, to their permanent place in Sweden, their home in Trollhättan.
– Chania is busy and wants me to extend the contract. But it’s still a little early to make a decision.
Do you have options?
– Yes sure. It rings and I get messages constantly on the phone after 17 goals. I’ve shown what I can, that I’m keeping a high standard. I have two offers from Greek first division clubs, from Poland, from leagues in the Persian Gulf, from Asia.
Allsvenskan?
– I basically forgot in Sweden. It was very interesting to have a chance at Allsvenskan. I watch many matches and follow the Svenskan closely. It’s a great league. I can compare with every place I’ve been. They are well-organised, good clubs and organizations, there are good players, great supporters and an atmosphere.
– I’m ready to jump on that if I get the right offer, says Admir Bajrovic ahead of a potential 10th club change.
