Salihović began his career in the youth teams of lower-league sides Minerva Berlin and Hertha Zehlendorf.

He made his professional debut in a Bundesliga match against Hamburger SV on 26 September 2004, which ended in a 1–2 defeat.

[8] Salihović helped 1899 Hoffenheim finish on the top of the table heading into the winter break in their first Bundesliga season.

[17] On 7 June 2015, 1899 Hoffenheim announced on their official website that Salihović would leave the club to join Chinese Super League side Beijing Renhe.

[18] In February 2017, Salihović signed with Swiss Super League side St. Gallen until the end of the season.

[20] On 13 September 2017, Salihović signed a one-year contract with Hamburger SV, returning to Bundesliga after more than two years.

He debuted on 13 October 2007 in a 2–3 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying loss to Greece,[29] and scored his first goal against Oman on 9 June 2009 in a friendly game.

[33] In June 2014, he was named in Bosnia and Herzegovina's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the country's first big competition.

[36] After Bosnia failed to qualify to the 2016 UEFA Euro, Salihović, even though he never announced it, left the national team.

In June 2009, after 17 years, Sejad visited his hometown of Zvornik where his parents Ismet and Fadila were renovating their home.