Asmir BegoviÃÂ (; born 20 June 1987) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Leicester City.
Begoviàstarted his senior career at Portsmouth, signing for them in the summer of 2003. After a sequence of loans, he made his Premier League debut in May 2009 and was sold to Stoke City for ã3.25 million in February 2010. In the 2012âÂÂ13 season, he played every league match and won the club's Player of the Year award. In November 2013, Begoviàbecame the fifth goalkeeper to score a goal in the Premier League, scoring from 97.5 yards (89.15 meters) against Southampton after 13 seconds, also getting the World Record for "longest goal scored in football". In July 2015, he joined Premier League champions Chelsea for a fee of ã8 million, remaining second-choice until his move to AFC Bournemouth two years later. After losing his place to Artur Boruc early in 2019, he was loaned to Qarabaàand A.C. Milan before signing for Everton.
BegoviÃÂ represented Canada at youth level playing for them at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In 2009, he decided to change his allegiance and represent his native country, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He soon established himself as their number one goalkeeper and helped them qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, their first major tournament.
BegoviÃÂ was born in Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was at the time part of Yugoslavia, to a Muslim family of Bosnian origin. His father, Amir, was also a goalkeeper who played for Leotar and Iskra Bugojno whilst his mother, Ajnija, hails from Stolac. The BegoviÃÂ family fled the Bosnian War to Germany when Asmir was four years old, where he began to play organised football with local youth club FC Kirchhausen in Heilbronn. When he was 10, his family moved to Edmonton in Canada.
BegoviÃÂ attended the St. Francis Xavier High School where he played for their academy. He also played in the Edmonton Minor Soccer Association with Southwest Sting Soccer Club which earned him a call-up to the Canada under-17 squad. In 2003, he earned a trial with Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur and his representatives paid for him to fly over to England. After two days with Portsmouth, coaches David Hurst and Mark O'Connor were suitably impressed and offered BegoviÃÂ a contract before his trial at Tottenham could begin.
Begoviàsigned a youth contract with Portsmouth in the summer of 2003 and due to him not having a European Union passport he spent two years on an education visa which prevented him from featuring in matches which involved money being taken on the gate. After playing for the youth team he then spent time on loan at La Louvière in Belgium in 2005 where he played twice in the Belgian top flight. Begoviàgot his UK visa in the summer of 2006 which allowed him to sign on loan for Macclesfield Town in the 2006âÂÂ07 season, making his Football League debut in a 1âÂÂ1 draw at Stockport County on 25 November as an 80th minute substitute, after injury to first choice goalkeeper Jonny Brain. His loan spell was cut short, however, as he sustained a knee injury after making just three appearances. In August 2007, Begoviàwas loaned to AFC Bournemouth in League One in a deal lasting until January 2008. He was recalled back from Bournemouth on 11 October 2007. On 8 December 2007, Begoviàwas named in Portsmouth's 16-man matchday squad for the first time in a Premier League game in a match against Aston Villa as a substitute.
In March 2008, he signed for Yeovil Town on loan for a month with Portsmouth having the right to recall him back when they so desired. On 29 March BegoviÃÂ made his debut for Yeovil, keeping a clean sheet against Bristol Rovers. He was subsequently recalled after making two appearances despite Yeovil trying to re-sign him on an emergency loan. The "Glovers" manager Russell Slade revealed in June 2008 that he wanted to sign BegoviÃÂ on loan again after Steve Mildenhall joined Southend United. The move was delayed however due to his grandfather dying. He rejoined Yeovil on loan, this time for three months in August 2008. He made 14 league appearances, keeping three clean sheets in a struggling Yeovil side.
Begoviàmade his Portsmouth debut against Sunderland in their 3âÂÂ1 win on 18 May 2009. Following his Premier League debut for Pompey Begoviàexpressed his delight. "It was fantastic, to make your first Premier League appearance is something I've looked forward to for a long long time." He joined Championship team Ipswich Town on loan until 16 January 2010 in October. On 23 November Begoviàwas recalled to Portsmouth due to David James being injured, ending his Ipswich Town loan after having played six matches. On his return to Fratton Park he went on to play 15 first team matches during the 2009âÂÂ10 season.
On 1 February 2010, Begoviàsigned a four-and-a-half-year contract at Stoke City for a fee of ã3.25 million. Following the signing manager Tony Pulis revealed that he had been tracking Begoviàfor a while. "We have been tracking Asmir for some time and we believe that potentially he is the best young keeper in the country". Begoviàhad also held talks with Tottenham Hotspur prior to joining Stoke, but opted for the "Potters" due to "sporting reasons". He later revealed his relief at leaving Portsmouth following their financial turmoil during the 2009âÂÂ10 season. Portsmouth ended up owing Tottenham money for BegoviÃÂ, despite him turning them down, as Tottenham had already paid Portsmouth an instalment on the transfer. Portsmouth were ordered to pay Tottenham ã1 million by the Premier League over the aborted transfer as Spurs had already made an initial payment for both Begoviàand Younès Kaboul.
Begoviàmade his debut for Stoke against Chelsea on 25 April 2010, replacing the injured Thomas Sørensen in the 35th minute, where he conceded five goals. He kept his first clean sheet for City in a 0âÂÂ0 draw with Everton on 1 May 2010. He also played in the last two games of the 2009âÂÂ10 season against Fulham and Manchester United.
At the start of the 2010âÂÂ11 season Begoviàwas handed the number one jersey by manager Tony Pulis. Begoviàallegedly refused to play in a League Cup match against Shrewsbury Town, a decision which Pulis said was "totally disrespectful". Begoviàon the other hand, denied that he had refused to play. Despite this Begoviàplayed his first match of the season in the next round of the League Cup against Fulham and then West Ham United. He made his first league appearance on 30 October against Everton replacing the injured Sørensen. Following this Begoviàtook over from Sørensen as City's first choice 'keeper, he also 'made peace' with Tony Pulis with his absence from the Shrewsbury match. After a narrow defeat at Arsenal in February 2011 Begoviàbelieves that Stoke are developing well. The following week against West Ham, Begoviàmade an error gifting a goal to Demba Ba. Begoviàmissed out on an FA Cup Final with second choice keeper Sørensen being preferred to play in cup matches.
Begoviàstarted the 2011âÂÂ12 season as first choice keeper and earned praise from Tony Pulis after he kept five clean sheets in six matches including a fine display against Liverpool on 11 September. However, Begoviàthen conceded eighteen goals in the next seven matches, including a woeful 5âÂÂ0 defeat by Bolton Wanderers a performance which led him to apologise to the supporters for his display. Following the Bolton match he was dropped in favour of Sørensen. Begoviàsigned a new four-and-a-half-year contract extension with Stoke in December 2011 keeping him at the club until 2016. He regained number 1 spot in March 2012. Begoviàcontinued as City's number one stopper in 2012âÂÂ13 and began the season in fine form conceding just 12 goals in the opening 15 matches. Despite Stoke having a poor second half to the season, Begoviàremained in decent enough form and won the Player of the Year Award.
Begoviàremained first choice keeper going into the 2013âÂÂ14 season under new manager Mark Hughes and produced a man of the match performance on the opening day against Liverpool. On 2 November 2013, Begoviàscored after 13 seconds against Southampton at a distance of 97.5 yards, after his long kick downfield deceived Artur Boruc. His goal against Southampton earned him a place in the 2015 Guinness World Records for the 'longest goal scored in football'.
Begoviàmissed his first League match for almost two years at Newcastle United on 26 December after he broke his finger in a training session which ruled him out for five weeks. He returned to the starting line-up against Chelsea on 26 January 2014. Begoviàplayed 33 times for Stoke in 2013âÂÂ14 as the team finished in 9th position.
Begoviàkept his 50th clean sheet for Stoke on 4 March 2015 in a 2âÂÂ0 victory over Everton. Begoviàkept his place as number one keeper in 2014âÂÂ15 playing in 36 matches as Stoke finished the season again in ninth position and they ended the campaign with a 6âÂÂ1 victory against Liverpool. He was dropped by Mark Hughes for three matches in May after making a mistake against Sunderland. This prompted media speculation about his future at the club. Indeed, Begoviàdeparted the Britannia Stadium in July 2015, in total he spent five and a half seasons at Stoke, making 172 appearances.
On 13 July 2015, Chelsea signed Begoviàon a four-year deal for a fee of ã8 million. As part of the deal Chelsea also offered midfielder Marco van Ginkel in part exchange to Stoke on loan for one season.
He made his debut nine days later on Chelsea's pre-season tour, coming on at half time for Thibaut Courtois with Chelsea 1âÂÂ0 up against the New York Red Bulls, but the match ended in a 4âÂÂ2 defeat. His first competitive fixture was the 2015 FA Community Shield on 2 August at Wembley Stadium, in which he was unused in a 1âÂÂ0 loss to rivals Arsenal. Six days later he came on as a substitute for Oscar when Courtois was sent off for conceding a penalty with a foul on Bafétimbi Gomis, who converted it for a 2âÂÂ2 draw. On 16 August, Begoviàmade his first competitive start for Chelsea in a 3âÂÂ0 away loss to Manchester City. A month later, he earned the first clean sheet of the season for Chelsea in a UEFA Champions League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv which ended in a 4âÂÂ0 win for Chelsea. He kept a sequence of three clean sheets before Courtois returned to the team on 5 December.
In his second season with Chelsea, Begoviàdidn't get much playing time, and there were speculations that he would leave the club in the winter transfer window. However, since Chelsea couldn't find a replacement for him, he was forced to stay at Stamford Bridge. In spite of featuring in only two league games, he received a winners' medal as Chelsea won the 2016âÂÂ17 Premier League.
On 30 May 2017, Begoviàsigned for Premier League club Bournemouth on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee. He debuted on 12 August on the opening day of the new Premier League season, in a 0âÂÂ1 loss against West Bromwich Albion. He kept his first clean sheet in the season on 30 September, in a 0âÂÂ0 draw against Leicester City. On 31 January 2018, he played in a 3âÂÂ0 win at his former club Chelsea. He played all 38 league games for the Cherries and manager Eddie Howe praised Begovic as being worth âÂÂevery pennyâ of his ã10 million fee.
After conceding 14 goals over four consecutive defeats, Begoviàwas dropped for the first time in January 2019, for Artur Boruc â the former rival against whom he scored his world record-setting goal in 2013. The Polish veteran then secured his place as Bournemouth's goalkeeper at BegoviÃÂ's expense.
On 2 September 2019, Begoviàwas sent on a six-month loan to QarabaÃÂ. He made his debut 13 days later, in a 2âÂÂ0 victory against Neftçi in the Azerbaijan Premier League. He signed on loan for Serie A club AC Milan for the rest of the 2019âÂÂ20 season on 13 January 2020. He played twice, first on 22 February in a 1âÂÂ1 draw at Fiorentina, as a 52nd-minute replacement for the injured Gianluigi Donnarumma, then in a 2âÂÂ1 home loss to Genoa on 8 March.
Begoviàmade 45 Championship appearances for Bournemouth in the 2020âÂÂ21 season, keeping 15 clean sheets.
On 20 July 2021, Begoviàjoined Everton on an initial 12-month contract with an option for a further year. He made his debut on 24 August in the second round of the EFL Cup, a 2âÂÂ1 win at Huddersfield Town. Second-choice to Jordan Pickford, he played three Premier League games in his first season, starting with a 3âÂÂ0 loss at Aston Villa on 18 September.
He departed the club at the end of the 2022âÂÂ23 season having rejected the offer of a new contract.
On 17 July 2023, BegoviÃÂ signed for Championship club Queens Park Rangers.
He departed the club upon the expiration of his contract on June 2024.
On 23 August 2024, Begoviàreturned to Everton, signing a contract until the end of the 2024âÂÂ25 season.
On 20 May 2025, Everton announced that he would be leaving the club at the expiration of his contract.
On 29 July 2025, BegoviÃÂ joined Championship club Leicester City on a one-year deal, reuniting with former Queens Park Rangers manager MartÃÂ Cifuentes.
Begoviàwas the starting goalkeeper for Canada in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He made several difficult saves for his team in a 3âÂÂ0 loss to Chile and let in one goal against Austria. Late in the third match of the tournament, after allowing two goals, Begoviàcame out of his area to play a long ball from a Congo defender. The ball took a high bounce off the wet pitch, forcing him to use his hands to prevent it from going over his head. He was shown a straight red card, and midfielder Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault had to play in goal, as Canada had used up their three substitutes.
On 14 August 2007, 20-year-old BegoviÃÂ received his first call-up to the senior Canada squad for the friendly match with Iceland, but didn't see any action on the pitch. In November 2008, he accepted another call for Canada's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier versus Jamaica, but again didn't get any playing time as Lars Hirschfeld was the preferred option in goal.
Players with dual nationality, like BegoviÃÂ, who had already played for a country's national team at youth level, were not allowed to switch nationalities after they turned 21, but on 3 June 2009 FIFA removed the age limit. In late June 2009, he spoke with Bosnian head coach Miroslav Blaà ¾eviàabout the possibility of making his debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Quotes in the Bosnian media seemed to indicate BegoviÃÂ's intent to play for the country of his birth. Begoviàmissed the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup for Canada saying Portsmouth wanted him to spend the whole pre-season with the club. On 12 July 2009 on Full-Time: Vancouver's Soccer Show on the TEAM 1040 radio in Canada he indicated his desire to continue with the Canada national team. He suggested that comments he had made to Bosnia's head coach had been misinterpreted due to poor translation. In the same interview, Begoviàalso said:
However, less than two months later, BegoviÃÂ changed his mind. On 21 August 2009, he accepted a call-up for two Bosnia 2010 World Cup qualifiers: away against Armenia on 5 September, and four days later against Turkey at home in Zenica. Moreover, he did not play in either match. During the pre-match preparations, BegoviÃÂ gave an interview to the Bosnian web portal, stating among other things:
In October 2009, Begoviàdebuted for another 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Estonia, coming on as a substitute to Kenan Hasagiàin the 92nd minute of the match, in which Bosnia won the match with a final score of 2âÂÂ0.
On 3 March 2010, Begoviàplayed his first significant role in a match as he got to play the second half in a 2âÂÂ1 friendly victory against Ghana; Begoviàdid not concede any goals. He received his first full appearance against Sweden in May where Bosnia and Herzegovina lost the match 4âÂÂ2, but Begoviàwas not responsible for any of the goals according to the Bosnian media, as they blamed Bosnia's defense for the goals.
Begoviàcaused controversy after he pulled out of Bosnia and Herzegovina's friendly matches against Slovakia and Mexico. In August 2012, Begoviàbecame first-choice goalkeeper for the national team. On 27 May 2013, he has been voted the 2012 Bosnian Footballer of the Year by the Bosnian Sport Writers' Jury. On 16 October 2013, Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated Lithuania 1âÂÂ0 to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, their first major tournament. In June 2014, Begoviàwas named in Bosnia and Herzegovina's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he played full 90 minutes in all three matches.
On 18 June 2011, BegoviÃÂ married his American-born wife, Nicolle Howard, with whom he has two daughters. In April 2011 he joined FC Edmonton's charity 'Kicks for Kids Program'.
BegoviÃÂ was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina while it was part of the SFR Yugoslavia, and moved to Germany at the age of four. Growing up in Germany, BegoviÃÂ supported Bayern Munich and cites goalkeeping great Oliver Kahn as his inspiration. He also attended matches at his local club VfB Stuttgart. Along with his native Bosnian, BegoviÃÂ is fluent in three additional languages: German, English and French. In October 2013 he set up his own charity, the Asmir BegoviÃÂ Foundation. His mother is from Stolac.
BegoviÃÂ's younger brother Denis had a brief spell with Bristol City's under-18s as a goalkeeper.
In April 2020, BegoviÃÂ played a football video game against fellow professional Alphonso Davies, who also came to Canada as a child refugee, to raise funds for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Begoviàis a Muslim and does fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan. In 2025, the Everton official media interviewed him alongside teammate Abdoulaye Doucouré about the experience of going through a fast as an active professional footballer.
Chelsea
QarabaÃÂ FK
Canada U23
Individual