# Esteban Saveljich

Esteban Ariel Saveljich (Montenegrin: Естебан Савељић, romanized: Esteban Saveljić; born 20 May 1991) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Primera Federación club Murcia. Born in Argentina, he represents Montenegro at international level.

## 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. His paternal great-grandfather and grandmother were immigrants from Montenegro.
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

    As of match played 22 August 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National Cup | National Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Racing Club | 2011–12 | Primera División | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Racing Club | 2012–13 | Primera División | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Racing Club | 2013–14 | Primera División | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 26 | 1 |
| Racing Club | Total | Total | 28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 |
| Defensa y Justicia (loan) | 2015 | Primera División | 24 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 27 | 1 |
| Almería (loan) | 2015–16 | Segunda División | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 1 |
| Levante | 2016–17 | Segunda División | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 0 |
| Albacete (loan) | 2017–18 | Segunda División | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 0 |
| Almería (loan) | 2018–19 | Segunda División | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 1 |
| Rayo Vallecano | 2019–20 | Segunda División | 32 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 3 |
| Rayo Vallecano | 2020–21 | Segunda División | 25 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 32 | 1 |
| Rayo Vallecano | 2021–22 | La Liga | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 9 | 0 |
| Rayo Vallecano | Total | Total | 66 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 75 | 4 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 206 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 220 | 8 |
* ↑ Appearance(s) in Promotion Playoffs

### International

    As of match played 24 March 2016
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Montenegro | 2015 | 3 | 0 |
| Montenegro | 2016 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 4 | 0 |

## Honours

Racing Club
* Argentine Primera División: 2014
Levante UD
* Segunda División: 2016–17