Esteban Ariel Saveljich (Montenegrin: Естебан Савељић, romanized: Esteban Saveljić; born 20 May 1991) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back. Born in Argentina, he represents the Montenegro national team at international level.[2]
Born in Tandil, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, Saveljich joined Racing Club's youth setup in 2006, aged 15. On 23 June 2012, he made his first team – and Primera División – debut, in a 2–1 away loss against Vélez Sársfield.[3]
Saveljich scored his first professional goal on 1 April 2014, in a 3–3 home draw against Estudiantes.[4] He was also a part of the squad which was crowned champions in that year, but as a backup.
In January 2015 Saveljich was loaned to fellow top-tier club Defensa y Justicia, until the end of the year. He appeared in 24 matches, scoring once, as his side avoided relegation.
On 24 January 2016, Saveljich moved abroad, signing a six-month loan deal with Segunda División side UD Almería.[5] On 18 August, he signed a permanent four-year deal with fellow league team Levante UD.[6]
On 4 August 2017, after contributing sporadically to the Valencian club's promotion to La Liga, Saveljich was loaned to Albacete Balompié in the second level, for one year.[7] On 31 August 2018, he returned to Almería on loan for the 2018–19 campaign.[8]
On 26 July 2019, Saveljich agreed to a permanent four-year deal with Rayo Vallecano, freshly relegated to the second division.[9] On 1 September 2023, he joined Burgos CF in the second division on a one-year contract.[10]
Saveljich obtained Montenegrin nationality in 2015. He was called up for international matches of Montenegro versus Denmark and Sweden in June 2015, both of which he entered as a substitute. In a Euro 2016 qualifying match against Russia, he was in the starting line-up. Under Ljubiša Tumbaković, the new head coach of Montenegro national team, he played in a friendly match against Greece.[11]
Saveljich, a Montenegrin Argentine, is the cousin of former Montenegrin footballer Niša Saveljić.[12] His paternal great-grandfather and grandmother were immigrants from Montenegro.[13][14]
Saveljich is nicknamed el Polaco (The Pole) by Argentine media, due to his hair colour. Conversely, in Montenegro he is nicknamed Gaucho.[15][16]
Racing Club
Levante UD
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