6) Pjanic’s form for Metz won saw him nominated for the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award, and earned him the attention of French giants Lyon, too. After a summer of negotiations, Lyon signed Pjanic for €7.5m in 2008.
7) The midfielder was dubbed ‘The next Juninho Pernambucano’ in France, and he duly took the Brazilian legend’s no.8 shirt in 2009/10.
8) Pjanic’s progression hit a stumbling block in 2010/11 however, with Yoann Gourcuff preferred in central midfield, and come summer 2011, he requested a transfer. Serie A side Roma paid €11.5m for his services.