Sasa Kalajdzic insists he is ready to put his long injury nightmare behind him and get back to regular football — with a place in Austria’s squad high on his list of targets.
The 27-year-old Wolves forward has endured a brutal run of cruciate ligament injuries, suffering three major knee tears since 2019. The most recent, in February 2024 while on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt, kept him sidelined for 437 days, ruling him out of 52 matches for club and country.
In total, Kalajdzic has missed almost twice as many games as he has played over the past six years. Yet despite the setbacks, giving up was never an option.
“I Never Considered Giving Up”
Speaking to Kurier, the Austrian international explained how his determination got him through the darkest periods of rehabilitation.
“Even though it was very tough on my mind at times and there were phases where progress wasn’t immediately apparent, I never considered it. I have complete confidence in my body. The knee was completely repaired.” — Sasa Kalajdzic
Kalajdzic believes his experiences have made him mentally stronger — and even more determined to succeed.
The “Biggest Goal” for the Season
While his ultimate dream is a return to Austria’s national team, Kalajdzic knows the pathway is clear: prove himself week in, week out for Wolves.
“There’s no question that this is a huge dream of mine, as is a comeback to the national team in general. But I also know that I need minutes and performance for that – that’s the be-all and end-all and my biggest goal this season.” — Sasa Kalajdzic
Career Impact of Injuries
| Injury | Days Out | Games Missed |
|---|---|---|
| ACL Tear (2019) | 218 | 29 |
| ACL Tear (2022) | 275 | 43 |
| ACL Tear (2024) | 437 | 52 |
These major setbacks have forced Kalajdzic to rebuild his fitness multiple times, but he is adamant that he is now physically ready for the demands of the Premier League.
Analyst Verdict
If Kalajdzic can stay fit, Wolves gain a unique profile in attack — a tall, technically sound forward who can link play and provide a real aerial threat. For Austria, his return could add a different dimension in the final third, especially in qualifiers where physical presence matters.
From a tactical perspective, regular minutes at Wolves could see him form a strong partnership with Matheus Cunha, offering Vítor Pereira more variety in attacking setups.
Key Insights
- Three ACL injuries since 2019, totalling over 900 days out.
- Latest setback ruled him out for 437 days and 52 matches.
- Targeting regular Premier League minutes as “biggest goal.”
- Determined to return to Austria national team.
- Fully confident in physical recovery and match readiness.
What’s Next
Kalajdzic will be hoping for a strong start to the 2025/26 season to force his way into Vítor Pereira’s first-choice XI.
If he delivers consistent performances and stays injury-free, a recall to the Austrian squad could come as early as the next international break — completing one of football’s most determined comeback stories.
Can Sasa Kalajdzic turn his injury nightmare into an inspirational Premier League comeback?
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