BOSNIAN-BORN midfielder Admir Softic has left Cork City and returned to his native Bosnia, the club has said in a press release.
Born in Sarajevo, 23-year-old Softic was just six years old when conflict erupted in his homeland. Four years of chaos and destruction engulfed Bosnia – back in the news recently with the capture of war crime suspect Radovan Karadžić.
During the war, Softic, his parents and younger sister were evacuated by the Red Cross to Croatia before being moved to Switzerland. They settled in Birr, Co Offaly upon gaining refugee status in Ireland.
Settling into Irish life, Softic began playing with Birr Town, where one of the players had a contact at Cork City. After just one trial game at City, Softic signed for their academy. From then it was a progression through the underage sides to signing a full contact in May 2006. He has starred with the club’s under-21 outfits, but could not hold down a place in the senior side.
A Cork City FC statement read: “Softic joined the club at youth level in 2003, and was a fixture in the club’s successful under-21 sides under Stuart Ashton.
“Everyone at Cork City FC would like to thank Admir for his contribution to the club during his time here, and wish him all the very best for the future.”
