Bojan has announced his retirement from football at the age of 32. The striker, who previously had spells at the likes of Barcelona and Stoke, had a peculiar career - with comparisons with Lionel Messi not helping. Express Sport now takes a look at his achievements as he calls it a day.
After scoring 10 goals in 22 games for Barcelona B, Bojan was promoted by the Catalan giants for the 2007/2008 season.
Pep Guardiola had just taken over from Frank Rijkaard and, with the Spaniard promising to put youth at the forefront of his operation, a 17-year-old Bojan was unleashed.
The Spain international broke Messi’s record for being the club’s youngest player in a La Liga match.
And though he struggled to dislodge the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Villa from the No 9 role, 41 goals from 163 matches isn’t too shabby.
Bojan won three La Liga titles with Barcelona, while he was also part of the side that claimed Champions League glory in 2009 and 2011 respectively.
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From Barcelona to Stoke, Bojan treaded a path many feel Messi would struggle to cope with.
He joined in 2014 with Mark Hughes, manager of the club at the time, praising the attacker by saying: "Anyone who knows European football will be aware of him as a player and the fact that he sees his future at Stoke City is really exciting.”
For a while, Bojan did excite.
He bagged seven goals in the 2015/2016 season, which would end up being his best in the Premier League.
Yet Bojan soon fell out of favour and, after loan spells at Mainz 05 and Deportivo Alaves, he was allowed to leave in 2019.
Bojan celebrates scoring for Stoke before his departure in 2019 (Image: GETTY)
New career aim
Before announcing his retirement on Thursday, it emerged Bojan was considering a new career in gravel cycling.
The forward recently launched a new £5,000 bike with Barcelona icon Andres Iniesta, with the pair previously being team-mates at the Nou Camp.
Bojan launched Barcelona-based cycling brand called Guava Bikes and said: “I think that when I enter this project it will be to stay and that I continue to be linked to cycling.
“It is a good way to combine sport and social activity. I could participate soon to be in some races. I'm going to prepare for it.
'I have always liked the bike, even as a means of transportation, but for about five years I have loved gravel. Whenever I can, I go out to do my routes.”
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Bojan is ready to pursue cycling career as Barcelona and Stoke hero quits (Image: GETTY)
Bojan tearful at his retirement
Speaking at the Nou Camp on Thursday, Bojan was tearful and confirmed his retirement. He said: "At the age of eight, nine I joined this club, which is my family, and at 32 and after many experiences I want to announce that I have finished a stage.
“I am grateful for everything I have experienced. You have to be honest and I think my time has come I have decided to put an end to this stage".
He added: "These decisions are not easy. I had been away from home for 12 years and at a professional level I feel fulfilled.
“I wanted to enjoy a new stage close to my family.
"My last match will be with the Catalan team. It will make me very happy. The federation is working to find a match at the beginning of June."