He's been mentioned in other threads, but thought I'd give him his own. Seems he is or was recently at Dinamo Zagreb. Here's an August article: http://www.24sata.hr/nogomet/odlazi-alen-halilovic-u-dinamo-stize-perspektivni-muhammad-230737 And a mention on the club's academy site: http://www.nogometnaskola-dinamo.hr/hrv/momcadi/kadeti/Dinamo-osvojio-Turnir-u-Stupniku Appears to be a '95: http://www.norcalpremier.com/teams/20452329/21361667-20452382/21429460.html Someone (who I believe is his father) has put up a bunch of YouTube videos. Here's a charming one in which he shows off his brand new team gear: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheJamalski#p/a/u/1/ZGcFvb2sl54
I'm Saalih's dad, saw this thread after a google search. Thanks for posting the thread and sharing the link to video. Saalih is currently home in the Bay Area for holidays. He's slated to return to Zagreb in late January. The experience has been transformative for him from a human and soccer development perspective. He hopes to continue improving and keep his place at Dinamo and see what the future brings. Dinamo have been very supportive and very professional throughout.
I've seen Saalih play several times and even reffed a couple of his matches. He's very talented physically. But I think what gives him a good shot at making it as a pro is that in spite of his talent he plays a humble team-oriented style. Nice kid too. I remember waving off one of his goals for a subtle foul on his part and his coach got upset. But Saalih told me later that I made right call.
In Dinamo coming new American younth player. Jacole Turner from Kansas City Thomas Ziemer from Atletico Santa Rosa Gabriel Maranahao Borger from Sporting Santa Clara Devante Raynor from FC Milan Tayler Burns and Alex Topping
Interesting, thanks. Looked up some of these players... Turner is a '94 GK. http://ussda.demosphere.com/teams/27484436/27484651-27484529/29951297.html Ziemer is a '96 with YNT pool experience. http://www.ussoccer.com/teams/u-17-mnt/z/thomas-ziemer.aspx Gabriel Borger is actually named Borges. Raynor is a '96 from California. Burns could be from Georgia. Topping might be a '97 from California, not sure.
http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-player-profile/gabriel-borges/pid-10015700 Dad of tayler burns peter will come live in zagreb next summer and will have work on marketing and will be scaut of dinamo in america and next year dinamo have much more soccer camps in america.
rizvo7, are these players technically part of the Dinamo academy or are they on some kind of play/study or pay-to-play program?
some on trayout a some to part of academy. Dinamo this summer have 12 soccer camps in America and who pass come to Zagreb. In future Dinamo have many american player in younth academy.
In Croatia don't exsist program play/study becose player play for club and school don't have own clubs.
How do these kids get to croatia and play local league for DZ without euro passports? (my understanding to play league you must be registered with club) Does Croatia Fed have some different rules superceding FiFA rules of signing less than 18yr olds?
They are entered into Croatian schools and with those continuing their gain permission to play in the league at their age. The same was done NK Rijeka which led 5 minors Nigerians and are enrolled in school, and with that they are given the right approach and the possibility of registration.
This Sunday in Dinamo coming one more American boy.Alesandro Lama he play for Alianza de fudbol and Americen finalist Nike Chense!
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/48832/gabriel-borges-look-at-the-big-picture-and-set-g.html And Lama today have a first trening!
http://www.nogometnaskola-dinamo.hr/hrv/turnir-mladen-ramljak/Memorijal-mladen-ramljak-nikad-jaci Saalih will be play on very strong tournament in Zagreb!