LAFC announced today that the Club has signed goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic from Everton F.C. of the English Premier League to a one-year deal with a club option for 2024. Jakupovic will be added to LAFC’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 Visa.
“It became apparent from our first conversation that Eldin will be a great asset to what is already a strong group of goalkeepers at LAFC.” said Co-president and GM John Thorrington. “He is a goalkeeper with vast experience and tremendous leadership qualities, and we are excited to have him, his wife, and family as part of the club. I would also like to thank his representative Haydn Dodge for his help throughout.”
Jakupovic, 38, joins LAFC after playing 10 seasons in England. He joined Everton on Sep. 13, 2022 before moving to the Black & Gold.
During his 10-year tenure in England he also played for Leicester City (2017- 2022), appearing in 19 matches across all competitions and winning the 2021 FA Cup. Jakupovic first arrived in England with Hull City on Jul. 9, 2012, registering five appearances in the English Championship in his first season. During the 2013-14 season, Eldin joined English League One side Leyton Orient where he made 13 appearances. Overall, Eldin made 54 appearances for Hull City including 26 English Premier League starts between 2012- 2017.
A dual citizen of Switzerland and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Jakupovic has represented each country at the U-21 levels. In 2004 he represented Bosnia-Herzegovina in European Championship U-21 Qualifiers, making two appearances
Internationally, Jakupovic has represented Switzerland from the U-18 through the Senior squad. He made his Swiss senior national team debut in a 4-1 friendly win vs. Cyprus on Aug. 20, 2008. Overall, he has made eight appearances for Switzerland across all competitions.
Jakupovic made his professional debut at the age of 19 with Swiss Super League side Grasshopper Club Zurich on Aug. 8, 2004. In 2005. Jakupovic joined FC Thun on loan during the 2005-06 season where he made 37 appearances across all competitions, including six UEFA Champions League starts. He played four seasons in the Swiss Super League with Grasshopper (2004-04, 2007 -08, 2008-09) and FC Thun (2005-06).
A Russian Cup winner in 2007 with Russian Premier League side Lokomotiv Moscow, where he made 28 appearances across all competitions while on loan. Jakupovic returned to Grasshoppers during the 2007-08 season, playing in a total of 81 appearances in his three years at the club. Jakupovic made a move to the Greek Super League in 2010, making 39 appearances for Olympiakos Volou in the 2010-11 campaign and one appearance for Aris Thessaloniki (2011-12).
Name: Eldin Jakupovic
Position: Goalkeeper
Born: 10/2/1984
Birthplace: Kozarac, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Hometown: Kozarac, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Citizenship: Switzerland / Bosnia-Herezgovina
Last Club: Everton FC
TRANSACTION: Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) signs goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic from Everton F.C. to a one-year deal with a club option for 2024.
