Matavž began his football career at the age of 6 playing for Bilje. In 2004, he moved to Gorica youth squads. He was promoted to their senior squad in the 2006–07 season and played a total of 30 matches in the Slovenian first division, scoring 11 goals in the process.[4]
On 30 August 2007, at the age of 18, he signed a five-year contract for Groningen.[5] On 26 September 2007 he scored four goals in KNVB Cup in a match against IJsselmeervogels,[6] but later moved to Emmen on loan and remained there until January 2009.
On 13 March 2009, Matavž scored his first goal in the Eredivisie in a 2–0 victory over Roda. Soon he began scoring for Groningen on regular basis in all competitions. On 24 February 2010 Matavž extended his contract with club until 2013.[7] On 6 February 2011, in a match against Willem II, Matavž scored his first hat-trick in the Eredivisie.[8]
On 2 February 2011, Groningen sporting director Hans Nijland said that Matavž had already agreed terms with Napoli and that he was looking forward to joining them.[9]
However, Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven were also in talks with Groningen to buy him before the transfer window closed. On 31 August 2011, Matavž eventually signed a five-year contract with PSV.[10]
On 29 June 2017, Matavž returned to the Netherlands, to join Vitesse on a three-year deal.[11][12]
On 19 July 2020, Matavž joined Al Wahda on a two-year deal.[13]
International career
On 9 October 2010, Matavž scored a hat-trick for Slovenia in the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match against Faroe Islands.[14] At the age of 21, he became the youngest player ever to score three goals for Slovenia.[15] Overall, Matavž earned a total of 39 caps for the national team, scoring 11 goals.[16]
Personal life
Matavž was born in Šempeter pri Gorici, Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia).[17] He is the cousin of fellow footballer Etien Velikonja.[18] In June 2014, Matavž married his long-term partner Polona Faganelj.[19] He has two daughters, Tia (born 2012) and Ela (born 2015), and one son, Val (born 2017).[20] Beside Slovene, Matavž is also fluent in Dutch.[21]
In April 2024, several Slovenian media outlets reported that Matavž had been charged with domestic violence, and that the court allegedly imposed a restraining order, preventing him from contacting his wife and children.[22][23][24]
^Viškovič, Rok (10 October 2010). "Matavž v elitni družbi najmlajši" [Matavz is the youngest in elite company] (in Slovenian). Siol. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
