Vitaly Janelt (foto: Getty Images)
Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt could soon switch national teams to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina, with official procedures for his citizenship change set to begin.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national team could soon receive a major boost, as Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt (26) is reportedly open to switching allegiances, according to Klix.ba. After initial talks, the Bosnian FA is now preparing to initiate the citizenship change process, marking the first official step in securing Janelt’s eligibility.
Citizenship process underway, FIFA approval still uncertain
The Bosnian FA has assessed the situation and is now working to gather the necessary documentation to apply for Janelt’s Bosnian passport. The process is expected to be completed by next week. However, obtaining Bosnian citizenship alone does not guarantee his ability to play for the national team—FIFA must approve the change of sporting nationality.
One potential hurdle is that Janelt represented Germany’s U21 team at the age of 23, when he did not yet hold a Bosnian passport. FIFA rules state that players over 21 cannot switch national teams unless they already had dual citizenship at the time. This could jeopardize the switch, but Bosnia's FA is determined to explore all legal options.
Janelt’s connection to Bosnia
Janelt was born in Hamburg and spent his youth career at RB Leipzig, before moving to Bochum and later joining Brentford in 2020 for just €600,000. Since then, he has established himself in the Premier League, amassing nearly 150 appearances and seeing his market value soar to €22 million.
His link to Bosnia comes through his wife, Ines, who is from Sarajevo. The couple reportedly shares a strong desire for Janelt to represent Bosnia on the international stage.
If successful, Janelt would be one of the most high-profile additions to Sergej Barbarez’s squad, offering much-needed quality in midfield.