February 1 (2022)

MLS expansion franchise St. Louis City signs its first player, 23-year-old Bosnian left back Selmir Pidro, as it prepares for its 2023 debut in MLS. Pidro, who plays for FK Sarajevo, made two appearances for the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2021. City had to compete with other clubs, including Italy’s Lazio, for Pidro, according to sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel. “There was another big, financially strong MLS club that made an offer for him,” Pfannenstiel tells writer Michael Haffner. “(City assistant coach) Elvir (Kafedžić) and the huge Bosnian community (the largest in the world outside of Bosnian and Herzegovina) that absolutely loves soccer had a big impact on him being here.” Says Pidro, “Down the line, I want to meet as much of the Bosnian community that I can. When everything settles down and I get more situated, connecting with other Bosnian families is a goal of mine.” Pidro will arrive in St. Louis in mid-summer. He will appear in his first game for minor league subsidiary St. Louis City2 on Aug. 6 as a substitute. Pidro will score a goal in his first start for City2 against the San Jose Earthquakes II on Aug. 21. He strikes a hard, left-footed shot from 25 yards out in the 38th minute that finds the top left corner of the net. He is red-carded after committing a foul late in the first half. Pidro will appear in eight games in all competitions, starting three, for City2 in 2022.