Diriyah snap up Bosnia World Cup keeper Vasilj in swift move after Bokhari deal

Diriyah have signed Bosnia and Herzegovina goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj on a free transfer, completing a second move for a senior goalkeeper just a day after bringing in Amin Bokhari.

The Saudi club confirmed Vasilj’s arrival via their official account on X, announcing that the 30-year-old joins as a free agent following the expiry of his contract with German side St. Pauli.

Diriyah had only revealed the capture of former Al Fateh goalkeeper Amin Bokhari on Thursday, also on a free transfer after his deal with the Saudi Pro League club came to an end.

Vasilj becomes Diriyah’s fifth signing of the current summer transfer window, as the club move to strengthen across the pitch ahead of the new campaign.

Fifth summer recruit

The Bosnian international joins a recruitment drive that has already brought in Bokhari from Al Fateh, defender Saeed Al Rubaie from Al Okhdood, winger Hattan Bahebri from Al Kholood and Senegalese player Clayton Diandy from Greek club Aris Thessaloniki.

All five arrivals have been secured on permanent deals, with the club making use of players reaching the end of their contracts elsewhere.

Diriyah have not disclosed the length of Vasilj’s contract or any financial details of the agreement.

Promotion-winning spell at St. Pauli

Vasilj arrives in Saudi Arabia after a notable spell in European football which most recently saw him play a key role for St. Pauli.

The goalkeeper previously turned out for several clubs in his native Bosnia and Herzegovina before moving to Germany with 1. FC Nurnberg and then to Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk.

He later joined St. Pauli, where he helped the Hamburg-based club secure promotion to the Bundesliga, Germany’s top division.

World Cup experience

On the international stage, Vasilj was Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

He started throughout the tournament as Bosnia and Herzegovina progressed to the last 32, but conceded eight goals in four matches, an average of two per game.

Despite that defensive record, his status as the national team’s main goalkeeper at a World Cup adds top-level experience to Diriyah’s squad as they prepare for the new season.