Gregor Balažic


Gregor Balažic is a Slovenian professional footballer who plays for Cypriot club Enosis Neon Paralimni FC as a central defender.
In his country, he played for Mura and Gorica. He had spells abroad in Spain, Ukraine, Serbia, Russia and Cyprus, notably having a five-year spell with Karpaty Lviv in the Ukrainian Premier League and winning the 2014–15 Serbian SuperLiga with Partizan.
Balažic represented Slovenia at all youth levels, and made his senior debut in 2013.

Club career

Early career

Born in Murska Sobota, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Balažic came through the youth academy of NK Mura, who went defunct in 2004. He made his first-team debut in a 2–1 home league win against NK Zagorje on 30 April 2005, aged 17, during the club's last competitive season.
In the summer of 2005, Balažic was transferred to S.L. Benfica of Portugal. Until his departure two years later, he played exclusively for their youth sides.

Spain

In June 2007, Balažic moved to Spain and signed with RCD Espanyol, being initially registered for the reserves. However, two months later, he left for Águilas CF also in the country's Segunda División B.
Balažic suffered a knee injury early into the campaign, which resulted in the termination of his contract in December 2007.

Gorica

In the winter transfer window of 2008, Balažic returned to his country and signed for ND Gorica from the Slovenian PrvaLiga. He scored his first goal as a senior on 5 December 2009, helping to a 1–1 home draw against NK Olimpija Ljubljana.
Balažic contributed with 29 games in 2009–10, helping his team finish in third position and qualify to the UEFA Europa League.

Karpaty Lviv

In January 2011, Balažic signed with FC Karpaty Lviv in the Ukrainian Premier League, penning a four-year deal for €400.000 in what was the club's most expensive transfer ever. On 6 March he made his competitive debut, netting in a 2–2 draw at FC Arsenal-Kyiv.
In the first round of 2014–15, Balažic scored in a 2–2 away draw to FC Hoverla Uzhhorod. He scored a career-best four goals during that season, in only 13 matches.

Partizan

On 4 February 2015, Balažic signed a two-year contract with FK Partizan. On 28 February he made his first appearance, featuring the full 90 minutes in a 0–0 home draw against FK Radnički Niš.
On 25 April 2015, during the Eternal derby against Red Star Belgrade, Balažic was fouled in the area by Vukašin Jovanović in what should have been a penalty for Partizan, but referee Milorad Mažić did not concede it. A week later, against FK Vojvodina, this time it was Balažic who brought down an opponent but, again, nothing was awarded; later, he admitted he did commit the infraction.
During his debut campaign, Balažic partnered compatriot Branko Ilić as central defender – after the departure of the latter in the summer, he started alongside Brazilian Fabrício. He scored his first official goal for the team on 22 August 2015, helping to a 3–1 away victory over FK Borac Čačak.

Ural

On 30 December 2016, Balažic signed for two and a half years with Russian Premier League club FC Ural Yekaterinburg. On 7 June 2019, he left upon the expiration of his contract.

International career

Balažic made his senior debut for Slovenia on 19 November 2013, in a 1–0 exhibition game win against Canada in Celje. His second cap came on 7 June of the following year in another friendly, a 0–2 loss to Argentina in La Plata.

Style of play

Balažic is a quick and strong player, technically gifted and with passing ability. Oleg Kononov, his coach at Karpaty, described him as a "very intelligent player" with a "great potential".

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Partizan