Striker Turns Down Serie A and Bundesliga Offers to Commit Long-Term to Austrian Champions
Published on 08/31/2026 at 08:41 | Editorial boerse-global.de
Sasa Kalajdzic has made his future clear. The Austrian national team striker is staying in Linz, signing a permanent deal with LASK that runs through 2029. The announcement, made public on 30 August 2026, brings an end to months of speculation about where the 29-year-old would land.
The move comes at no transfer cost to the Austrian Bundesliga side. Kalajdzic had spent the previous campaign with LASK on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and his performances during that spell convinced the club to make the arrangement permanent.
English Club Secures Sell-On Protection
Though Wolves receive no upfront fee, they have built in a safeguard for the future. Industry sources indicate the Premier League outfit negotiated a 50 percent sell-on clause, entitling them to half of any future transfer fee if Kalajdzic departs Linz before his contract expires in 2029.
What makes this deal particularly striking is what the player gave up to make it happen. Kalajdzic reportedly turned down lucrative proposals from Italy's Serie A and Germany's Bundesliga to remain in Austria. He also accepted a significant reduction in his personal salary to finalize the switch — a clear signal of where his priorities lie.
Loan Spell That Changed Everything
The groundwork for this transfer was laid over the past twelve months. During his loan stint, Kalajdzic appeared in 27 competitive matches for LASK, scoring seven goals and directly setting up eleven more. His contribution helped the club secure a domestic double, lifting both the league title and the national cup.
His form extended to the international stage as well. At the 2026 World Cup, Kalajdzic netted the equalizer in a 3:3 group-stage draw against Algeria — a result that carried Austria into the round of 32.
Rebuilding After Injury-Plagued Premier League Years
This move represents something of a reset for a career that had been derailed by physical setbacks. Kalajdzic joined Wolverhampton in 2022 from VfB Stuttgart for a fee of 18 million euros, but two torn cruciate ligaments limited his impact in English football.
For LASK, the signing bolsters the squad at a crucial moment. With Champions League fixtures on the horizon, the club has secured an internationally experienced forward for the next three seasons — one who has already proven he can deliver in Austrian football.
