Žan Celar (born 14 March 1999) is a Slovenian professional footballer who plays as a forward for 2. Bundesliga club Fortuna Düsseldorf, on loan from EFL Championship club Queens Park Rangers, and the Slovenia national team.

Club career

Celar made his Serie A debut for Roma on 11 March 2019 in a game against Empoli, as an 86th-minute substitute for Patrik Schick.

On 10 July 2019, Celar joined Serie B club Cittadella on loan until January 2020. On 30 January 2020, he moved on loan to Cremonese. After scoring two goals in eleven appearances during the 2019–20 Serie B season, his loan was extended for another season in August 2020.

In the summer of 2021, Celar joined Swiss Super League club Lugano on a contract until 2025, joining his countryman Sandi Lovrić. He was given the number 19 jersey. In his first season with the club, Celar won the 2021–22 Swiss Cup, and also scored in the final against St. Gallen as Lugano won 4–1. Overall, he scored 40 goals in 95 appearances in the Swiss Super League over the course of three seasons, and was also the league's top scorer in the 2023–24 season.

Queens Park Rangers

On 19 July 2024, Celar transferred to the EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut for the club on 10 August in a 3–1 loss against West Bromwich Albion. On 23 November 2024, having still yet to score for the club, Celar missed a penalty in a 1–1 draw with Stoke City. Having retained the support of manager Martí Cifuentes following the miss, he scored twice in the following match as QPR secured their second league win of the season.

International career

Between 2014 and 2021, Celar played for all Slovenian youth teams from under-16 to under-21, making 46 appearances for all teams combined and scoring 17 goals.

On 14 November 2021, Celar debuted for the senior team in a World Cup qualifying match against Cyprus.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 2 November 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Maribor2015–16PrvaLiga10000010
Roma2018–19Serie A10000010
Cittadella (loan)2019–20Serie B10132133
Cremonese (loan)2019–20Serie B112112
2020–21Serie B27220292
Total3842000404
Lugano2021–22Swiss Super League2910543414
2022–23Swiss Super League301630103416
2023–24Swiss Super League361456714821
Total954013108111651
Queens Park Rangers2024–25EFL Championship1920030222
2025–26EFL Championship20000020
Total2120030242
Fortuna Düsseldorf (loan)2025–262. Bundesliga700070
Career total173471812813020260

International

As of match played 14 November 2024

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Slovenia202110
202250
202320
202490
Total170

Honours

Lugano

Individual

External links

  • national team profile at NZS (in Slovene)
  • club profile at NZS (in Slovene)
  • at Soccerway