Besard Šabović Bio
Besard Šabović is a Swedish professional footballer who currently plays for Austin FC in Major League Soccer as a centre midfielder. Born in Stockholm on 5 January 1998, he developed through the youth ranks of Brommapojkarna before breaking into the senior game with Djurgårdens IF. He has represented both Sweden and North Macedonia at youth international level, reflecting the dual heritage of his family background.
Across his senior career, Šabović has played in Sweden, Turkey, and Russia before completing a move to the United States in early 2025. He wears the number 14 shirt for Austin FC and operates primarily in central midfield, where his passing range and composure have defined his style.
Early Life and Background
Besard Šabović was born in Stockholm, Sweden, into a family with deep Balkan roots. He is the son of a Montenegrin Albanian father from Plav and a Serbian Albanian mother from Medveđa. His family heritage also extends further back, as he is the great-grandson of Jakup Ferri, a member of the Albanian nationalist organization known as the League of Prizren.
Growing up in Stockholm, Šabović was introduced to football at a young age and joined the Brommapojkarna academy at age five. The club is widely regarded as one of Sweden’s most respected development environments, and it was there that he first gained attention as a promising young midfielder. During his teenage years, he appeared in the TV4 program Fotbollsfabriken, a documentary series that followed the best 15-year-old players in the Brommapojkarna system.
This early exposure to competitive academy football and national media coverage helped lay the foundation for Šabović’s transition into professional football. His upbringing in a multicultural Stockholm household gave him connections to both Swedish football culture and his family’s Albanian heritage.
Path to Professional Football
Šabović spent his formative youth years at Brommapojkarna, where he developed from 2003 until 2015. During that period, he progressed through the age-group teams and gained recognition as one of the most promising midfielders in the Stockholm area. His performances at youth level attracted attention from bigger Swedish clubs.
On 18 February 2015, he joined Djurgårdens IF on a three-year under-21 contract. Less than a year later, on 12 January 2016, he was promoted to the first team and signed a four-year professional contract with the Stockholm-based club. This move marked the start of his senior career and positioned him within one of Sweden’s most established top-flight environments.
His path also included international youth recognition. Šabović represented Sweden at the Under-17 level from 2013 to 2014 and at the Under-19 level from 2015 to 2017. He later switched federations briefly, earning a call-up to the North Macedonia Under-21 squad in 2019, before returning to represent Sweden at the Under-21 level in 2020.
Besard Šabović Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Besard Šabović made his professional debut for Djurgårdens IF on 24 April 2016, appearing as a substitute in the 77th minute during a 1–0 away defeat to Malmö. The appearance signalled his arrival in the Allsvenskan and offered him an early taste of top-flight football in Sweden.
To gain further first-team experience, he was loaned to Superettan side Brommapojkarna on 24 March 2017 for the remainder of the season. He debuted for his boyhood club on 1 April 2017 in a 0–0 draw against Dalkurd, again entering as a late substitute. In March 2019, he was loaned once more, this time to Dalkurd, where he started in a 0–4 home defeat to Brommapojkarna. He was recalled to Djurgården later that year and featured briefly against Kalmar FF in July 2019.
Djurgårdens IF Breakthrough (2016–2019)
Šabović’s first spell at Djurgårdens IF established him as a dependable young midfielder. Operating primarily as a number eight, he offered ball retention and simple distribution in the middle of the park, gradually earning trust from the coaching staff. While he did not become a regular starter immediately, his appearances off the bench provided valuable Allsvenskan experience.
Mjällby and Move Abroad (2020–2021)
In 2020, Šabović joined Mjällby AIF, where he spent a full season in the Allsvenskan. The move allowed him to take on a more prominent role in a stable top-flight side, further refining his passing and positional understanding. In 2021, he made his first move abroad, signing with Turkish Süper Lig club Kayserispor, which exposed him to a new league and tactical environment.
FC Khimki (2021–2022)
On 22 June 2021, Šabović signed with Russian Premier League club FC Khimki, marking his entry into one of Europe’s most physically demanding top-flight competitions. He remained with Khimki until 3 June 2022, when he departed the club.
Return to Djurgårdens IF (2022–2024)
On 10 August 2022, Šabović returned to Djurgårdens IF, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with his formative senior club. The homecoming gave him the chance to re-establish himself in the Allsvenskan and play a central role in midfield. Over the following two seasons, he became a consistent contributor for Djurgården and helped anchor the team’s central play.
Austin FC Era (2025–Present)
On 21 January 2025, Besard Šabović signed with Major League Soccer side Austin FC on a three-year deal. The transfer represented a fresh challenge in a growing North American league and offered him the opportunity to play alongside a young, ambitious squad. Wearing the number 14 shirt, he has been deployed as a centre midfielder tasked with linking defence and attack.
Driving Style and Strengths
Šabović is recognised for his composure in possession, intelligent positional play, and ability to operate between the lines. His time in Sweden, Turkey, and Russia has given him a balanced tactical background, allowing him to adapt to different systems. He combines a 1.86 m frame with tidy distribution, making him effective in both deep-lying and box-to-box midfield roles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Šabović’s career include his professional debut for Djurgårdens IF in 2016, his international debut for North Macedonia Under-21 in March 2019, his move to Russian Premier League side FC Khimki in 2021, and his transfer to Austin FC in January 2025. Each step reflected his steady progression from Stockholm academy football to the international stage.
Besard Šabović Career Wins
Besard Šabović’s senior career has primarily been shaped by consistent playing time and steady development rather than a long list of major individual trophies. His most significant achievements to date are connected to his appearances in top-tier leagues and his progression into Major League Soccer with Austin FC.
Club Career Highlights
Šabović has built a versatile club résumé that includes spells in the Allsvenskan with Djurgårdens IF, Mjällby AIF, and loans to Brommapojkarna and Dalkurd. He has also competed in the Turkish Süper Lig with Kayserispor and in the Russian Premier League with FC Khimki, experiences that broadened his tactical understanding. His return to Djurgårdens IF in 2022 and his subsequent move to Austin FC in 2025 mark the most prominent chapters of his career so far.
International Highlights
At youth international level, Šabović has represented Sweden at the Under-17, Under-19, and Under-21 age groups, and he also earned caps with the North Macedonia Under-21 team in 2019. His international career reflects the dual Swedish and Balkan identity that defines his background.
Besard Šabović Family
Family Background and Heritage
Besard Šabović comes from a culturally rich family with roots across the Balkans. His father is a Montenegrin Albanian from Plav, and his mother is a Serbian Albanian from Medveđa. The family settled in Stockholm, where Šabović was born and raised, blending Swedish upbringing with strong Albanian heritage.
Personal Life
Beyond his career, Šabović’s personal life is closely tied to his family history. He is the great-grandson of Jakup Ferri, a notable historical figure within the League of Prizren, an Albanian nationalist organization. He maintains his Albanian heritage while representing Sweden as his primary national football identity.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents Besard Šabović’s first campaign in Major League Soccer with Austin FC. Signed in January, he joined a club building around young talent and looking to climb the Western Conference standings. His early role has focused on providing control and experience in the centre of midfield.
Throughout the year, Šabović has been tasked with adjusting to the rhythm of MLS, including the travel demands, summer heat, and varied tactical styles of conference opponents. His prior experience in Sweden, Turkey, and Russia has given him a strong foundation to handle these new conditions. He has featured regularly for Austin FC and has been relied upon as a consistent presence in the middle of the pitch.
Looking ahead, Šabović’s three-year contract with Austin FC provides stability and time to grow into a leading role with the club. If he can continue adapting to MLS and build chemistry with his teammates, he is well positioned to become a key figure in Austin FC’s midfield for seasons to come.
