Nikola Vasilj: Who is the St. Pauli and Bosnia-Herzegovina goalkeeper?
It's fair to say St. Pauli and Bosnia-Herzegovina are in safe hands with Nikola Vasilj between the goal-posts. bundesliga.com profiles the club-and-country No.1...
Data correct as of 23 March 2025
Age: 29 (born: 2 December 1995)
Club: St. Pauli
Position: Goalkeeper
Country: Bosnia-Herzegovina
Key stats
Vasilj has conceded just 30 goals, 26 matches into his debut Bundesliga campaign. The 6'4" custodian has also kept eight clean sheets to keep Pauli's heads five points above water coming out of the March 2025 international break. In an incredible piece of context, only leaders Bayern Munich (24) and third-placed Mainz (28) have shipped fewer goals, while just four other goalkeepers have recorded more shut-outs.
It was Vasilj's league-low 36 goals against that provided the foundation for Pauli's promotion as Bundesliga 2 champions in 2023/24. That was the Mostar-born stopper's third full season in German football, following an earlier stint with the Nuremberg reserves and spells in Ukraine and Bosnia-Herzegovina. His consistent club displays were rewarded with a senior international call-up in 2021, as well as starts in six of Bosnia's last seven games.
Plays a bit like: Gregor Kobel
A goalkeeping all-rounder with quick reflexes and a strong command of his penalty area, Vasilj has a similar playing profile to Borussia Dortmund and Switzerland counterpart Gregor Kobel.
Did you know?
Nikola's father, Vladimir, is a former Croatia international goalkeeper. Part of the squad that finished third at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, he also won three Croatian First League titles at club level.
Watch: Nikola Vasilj shone in the goalless draw with Wolfsburg in October 2024
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What they're saying
"We can't expect Niko to keep everything out. He's saved our bacon often enough this season." - Pauli's Hauke Wahl after Vasilj spilled a shot that led to a goal in the 2-0 loss to Mainz in February 2025
"Niko is a top goalkeeper. He's always been good on his line, but his all-round game has really improved. You can always rely on him." - former Pauli player Marcel Hartel, speaking in November 2023
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