​Haris Tabakovic has made the move from the German Bundesliga to FC Red Bull Salzburg with immediate effect, joining the Austrian champions on a contract that runs through 2029 and sees him donning the number 9 shirt. This signing strengthens Salzburg’s attacking options for the upcoming season by adding a player with international experience and a proven track record of goal scoring. Born in Switzerland and of Bosnian nationality, Tabakovic already had deep ties to Austrian football, having enjoyed a prolific period in the country before moving abroad. He accumulated a total of 67 competitive goals during his time with SC Austria Lustenau and Austria Vienna, establishing his big break in Austria between 2020 and 2023.
Tabakovic then showcased his clinical finishing in Germany, where he emerged as the top scorer in the 2. Bundesliga with 22 goals during his stint with Hertha BSC. Most recently, he was under contract with TSG Hoffenheim and spent time on loan at Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he demonstrated his quality in the Bundesliga by scoring 13 goals in the previous season. After earning caps for the Bosnian national team and featuring at the World Cup, the striker is currently on extended leave and is set to join training at Salzburg in approximately two weeks.
The club sought a clear profile for the center-forward position: a player who could contribute immediately, possess the necessary height and presence, and have a sharp eye for goal. Haris Tabakovic fits exactly these criteria. He has consistently found the back of the net at his former clubs and is well acquainted with Austrian football. His leadership, experience, and physicality are expected to inject important momentum into Salzburg’s young squad, and the club is confident that his arrival will stimulate both on-field performance and the development of teammates.
Marcus Mann, Salzburg’s Managing Director of Sport, spoke about the signing, underscoring the strategic value Tabakovic brings to the team. Tabakovic’s arrival is viewed as a key component of Salzburg’s continued ambition to compete at the highest level in domestic and European football, leveraging his combination of height, presence, and scoring instinct to drive the attack forward.
The Slovakian-born striker has expressed strong motivation to embrace the challenge in Salzburg and to add to the club’s legacy of success. He described a genuine sense of anticipation about joining a team renowned for its ambition and culture of excellence. The move represents a new chapter in Tabakovic’s career, one in which he hopes to contribute immediately to Salzburg’s goals and help steer the team toward continued triumphs in the Austrian league and beyond.
In his own words, Haris Tabakovic conveyed his enthusiasm for the transition. He noted the positive and welcoming impression formed during discussions with the club and highlighted how the environment at FC Red Bull Salzburg aligns with his aspirations. He emphasized a clear hunger for success and a readiness to embrace the responsibilities that come with wearing the number 9 shirt for a club with high ambitions. Tabakovic looks forward to meeting his new teammates, integrating into the squad, and commencing training ahead of the new season with a strong determination to make an immediate impact.