Out of absolutely nowhere, Rovers have started Deadline Day as they mean to go on, by announcing the permanent acquisition of Semir Telalović, who arrives from Borussia Mönchengladbach on an undisclosed fee!
The German-born forward, who is of Bosnian descent, arrives at Ewood Park on an initial three-year-deal until June 2026, with Rovers holding the option to make it four, courtesy of a 12-month extension in his contract.
Despite fitting Rovers’ profile as a 23-year-old attacker, Telalović has been incredibly prolific within the German lower divisions whilst playing for his previous sides. Having emerged from the youth team of his hometown club, sixth tier side, SSV Ehingen-Süd, Telalović had been part of their first-team squad since he was 18-year-old, making an impact with 12 goals and three assists across 33 games in both league and cup, over the course of 2017-18 and 2018-19, as he began to grow and establish himself as a first-choice attacker, despite his young age.
His fine performances continued into the curtailed 2019-20 campaign and the 2020-21 season as he increased his value whilst helping SSV Ehingen-Süd in the process. Over the course of those two challenging seasons, he netted 12 goals in 31 appearances across all competitions, including two assists, as he showed his quality and composure in-front of goal.
The attacker’s fine form was always going to be noticed by teams of higher divisions, as he moved up to the fourth tier to join FV Illertissen, with whom he spent the first-half of the 2021-22 season, but made a lasting impact as he netted 18 in 27, whilst also notching another four assists. His incredible knack for finding the back of the net proved too much for Illertissen to handle, as the big boys of the Bundesliga came knocking, with Borussia Mönchengladbach sealing his signature.
Telalović wasted no time in getting acquainted with Mönchengladbach, as he set the reserve division on fire in the second half of 2021-22, as he netted six in 18 for Mönchengladbach II, but his second season with Die Fohlen is what really caught the eye of Rovers, as the attacker managed a scintillating 15 goals and 13 assists in 30 games, which helped him earn a call-up to the main squad in order to earn his Bundesliga debut.
Whilst the Bundesliga side were in a poor run of form, with Daniel Farke – who signed Telalović – being on the verge of the sack, the attacker was only afforded brief cameos which totalled to seven minutes of field time, in three separate defeats, however the experience – especially in the games where he was named on the bench, but failed to come onto the pitch – will have undoubtedly been of value to Telalović as he enters first-team senior football for the first time in his career, at Ewood Park.
Despite penning a deal with Rovers, Telalović does arrive at Ewood Park match fit, having played two games for Mönchengladbach II already this season, departing with a goal and an assist from those outings.
After swapping North Rhine-Westphalia for the North West of England, the prolific forward sat down with RoversTV as he beamed after his move was confirmed:
“It feels very, very good and I’m very thankful to be here, I hope we can have a great time together.
“I know about the club from being a kid. Blackburn Rovers are a big, traditional club and I know about some of the players and the league. When I heard from Rovers, I was really impressed because I know how tough the league is, but I wanted to come here and play in England with Rovers.
“You grow up as a footballer and know England is the heart of football. You can speak to anyone in Germany or in Europe and everyone has the dream to play in England.
“I’m a striker who is very fast and physical and love to be in the game, playing football and scoring goals. I think my physical attributes and speed will fit playing in England. This is a big step for me, but I wanted a big step and I think I can improve a lot at my age playing in a new country, in a new culture and in front of new supporters.
“I’m very excited to play at Ewood for the first time, to feel the fans and to win with the team.”
Rovers’ Director of Football, Gregg Broughton was also on hand to welcome the club’s latest recruit:
“We are delighted to make Semir our seventh signing this summer and our second striker on a permanent contract.
“Making his breakthrough under Daniel Farke at Mӧnchengladbach last season after his prolific form for their second team, Semir will bring great pace, finishing ability and directness to our forward options.
“At the age of 23, Semir still has huge potential to develop, but has already experienced six years of senior football, scoring 65 goals in 132 games.”
Dobrodošli, Semir! ??
