Alexander Kačaniklić

Alexander Kačaniklić (Александар Качаниклић; Александар Качаниклиќ; born 13 August 1991) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays for AEL Limassol.

He normally operates on the left wing but can also play as a central midfielder.

Born in Helsingborg, Sweden, Kačaniklić played for a local team until he joined from Swedish club Helsingborg, alongside his brother, when he was ten.

Kačaniklić joined Liverpool from Swedish club Helsingborg in the summer of 2007, where he was assigned to the club's academy.

It came after when Kačaniklić was scouted while playing for Sweden U16.

During his progress, the club's U18 Manager Hughie McAuley said: "Alex is a talented player and has already played at reserve team level. He is a naturally gifted footballer who is very quick. He crosses really good balls and can also be effective on the right wing when he cuts inside and scores goals. I'm looking forward to seeing him make more progress."

He scored "a wonderful effort" against Arsenal's youth team in the 2008–09 FA Youth Cup Final.

Two years later, Kačaniklić graduated from the academy to the club's reserves, where he was featured under John McMahon.

At the end of the 2009–10 season, Kačaniklić was offered a two–year contract with the club.

It was reported in February 2010 that Kačaniklić could get a chance in Liverpool's first team football ahead of the UEFA Europa League match.

But he never made it to the starting line-up.

He moved on to Fulham in August 2010, together with Lauri Dalla Valle, as part of the deal in which Fulham's Paul Konchesky joined Liverpool.

After leaving Liverpool, Kačaniklić reflected his time there, saying: "I left because I saw an opportunity to make a career for myself and develop as a player and a person. I had some really good years at Liverpool and they helped me a lot and England is the country where I want to play, so it was an easy decision to leave Sweden. It is difficult moving so young. It is a different lifestyle in England compared to Sweden and I left all the comforts I had at home, in terms of my friends and school. But having my family here made it so much easier and I am so grateful to them for that."

After almost two years with the Fulham Reserves, Kačaniklić was an unused substitute as Fulham drew with Sunderland on 19 November 2011.

Following this, Kačaniklić received a handful first team appearances, result in him making four appearances at the end of the 2011–12 season.

He made his Fulham debut on 30 March 2012, coming on as a substitute for the injured Pavel Pogrebnyak after 35 minutes.

He almost scored a goal, as a clipped shot was parried by Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy and hit the crossbar.

He was praised by Martin Jol in his post-match press conference.

He made his first start for Fulham in an away match against Bolton Wanderers on 7 April 2012.

Fulham won the match 0–3, and Kačaniklić was subbed off after 88 minutes for fellow Academy graduate Marcello Trotta, who made his Premier League debut for Fulham.

Shortly before the match, Jol confirmed that Fulham would offer Kačaniklić a new contract.

In a 1–0 win over Liverpool on 1 May 2012, Kačaniklić set up the only goal of the game when "he was a constant threat to Liverpool's backline, especially in the first half, and certainly played his part in the goal when John Arne Riise's cross hit him before rebounding off Martin Škrtel into the back of the net".

Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Kačaniklić signed a new two-year deal with the option of a third year to stay at Craven Cottage.

It came after when he was linked a move away from the club.

Kačaniklić scored his first goal for Fulham in the 5–0 drubbing at home against Norwich on the opening day of the 2012–13 season.

Since the start of the season, he became a first team regular for the side, playing in the midfield position.

Kačaniklić had a good start to the season, assisting both of Dimitar Berbatov's goals on 15 September 2012 against West Bromwich Albion, resulting a 3–0 win for Fulham.

He scored a header at Arsenal on 10 November 2012 in a 3–3 draw.

Kačaniklić then scored the winner in Fulham's 2–1 victory away to West Bromwich Albion on New Year's Day.

However, injuries and competitions in the midfield positions soon led him losing his first team place and appeared on the substitute bench, resulting out on loan to Burnley.

At the end of the 2012–13 season, Kačaniklić went on to make thirty appearances and scoring four times in all competitions.

After being recalled on 18 April 2013, Kačaniklić made his first appearance for Fulham two days later, starting the whole game before being substituted in the 85th minute, in a 1–0 loss against Arsenal.

Two weeks later on 4 May 2013, he set up a goal for Bryan Ruiz, who went to score twice, in a 4–2 loss against Reading.

Kačaniklić then scored his fourth goal of the season, as well as, setting up the club's third goal of the game, in a 3–0 win over Swansea City in the last game of the season.

After the match, he was named Sky Sports’ Team of the Week.

However at the start of the 2013–14 season, Kačaniklić suffered a hamstring injury that saw him miss the opening game of the season against Sunderland.

It wasn't until on 24 August 2013 when he made his first appearance of the season, coming on as a substitute in the 61st minute, in a 3–1 loss against Arsenal.

Following this, Kačaniklić was involved in a lot of playing time for the side.

After sitting out of the first team for two matches, he returned to the starting line-up, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute, in a 2–0 loss against Southampton on 26 October 2013.

In a follow–up, Kačaniklić scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–1 loss against Manchester United.