Esteban Ariel Saveljich (; born 20 May 1991) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back. Born in Argentina, he played for the Montenegro national team.
Club career 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.
Saveljich scored his first professional goal on 1 April 2014, in a 3–3 home draw against Estudiantes. 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. On 18 August, he signed a permanent four-year deal with fellow league team Levante UD.
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. On 31 August 2018, he returned to Almería on loan for the 2018–19 campaign.
On 26 July 2019, Saveljich agreed to a permanent four-year deal with Rayo Vallecano, freshly relegated to the second division. On 1 September 2023, he joined Burgos CF in the second division on a one-year contract.
On 22 August 2024, Saveljich signed with Real Murcia in the third tier.
International career 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.
Personal life Saveljich, a Montenegrin Argentine, is the cousin of former Montenegrin footballer Niša Saveljić.Esteban Saveljić: Igraću za Crnu Goru! at MNsport, 28 January 2015 His paternal great-grandfather and grandmother were immigrants from Montenegro.Esteban Saveljich: “Si hubiesen chances de jugar en Montenegro, no las descartaría”Saveljich a la selección
Saveljich is nicknamed el Polaco (The Pole) by Argentine media, due to his hair colour. Conversely, in Montenegro he is nicknamed Gaucho.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsRacing Club2011–12Primera División1000—102012–13Primera División1000—102013–14Primera División26100—261Total2810000281Defensa y Justicia (loan)2015Primera División24130—271Almería (loan)2015–16Segunda División17100—171Levante2016–17Segunda División9010—100Albacete (loan)2017–18Segunda División29000—290Almería (loan)2018–19Segunda División33110—341Rayo Vallecano2019–20Segunda División32320—3432020–21Segunda División25130403212021–22La Liga9000—90Total6645040754Career total2068100402208
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsMontenegro201530201610Total40
Honours Racing Club Argentine Primera División: 2014
Levante UD Segunda División: 2016–17
References
External links