Written by Marc Sabljo
As the HNS enters a transitional phase in the upcoming months, it’s an opportune moment to spotlight our emerging talents across Europe. Presented below are ten U21 players to keep an eye on in the 2024-2025 season, listed in no particular order. To be eligible for this list, these players must be born after 2002 and not yet represented the Croatian national side at senior level. With esteemed figures like Modrić, Brozović, and Perišić contemplating retirement in the near future, I am optimistic that the names mentioned below will step up to uphold the legacy established by our football greats.
1. Igor Matanović
21 years old. Centre/forward €5.00M
Igor is a center forward playing for Karlsruher in 2.Bundesliga on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt. In the 2023-2024 campaign, he netted 14 goals and seven assists in 32 appearances. Standing at 194cm, he is a great target for service from the wings and possesses excellent footwork. Although born in Germany, he chose to represent the Vatreni over German national team. Look for him to secure regular starts at Frankfurt in the 2024-2025 season.
2. Marin Šotiček
19 years old. Right wing. €2.00M
Marin had a wonderful season for NK Lokomotiva during the 2023-2024 campaign, scoring nine goals and providing one assist in 30 HNL appearances. Known for his pace and ability to finish around the net, his powerful left foot is particularly noteworthy. The right winger, who has also been seen playing at center forward, could very well be on the move to Switzerland to play at FC Basel after recently rejecting Dinamo’s salary offer.
3. Anton Matković
18 years old. Centre forward. €4.00M.
At only 18 years old, Anton is one of our most promising centre forward prospects. Currently playing at NK Osijek, he scored five goals in 18 appearances during the 2023-2024 HNL season. Anton possesses incredible speed and, unusual for a center forward, he is active in defending and retrieving possession. The talented 18 year-old is attracting attention from big clubs such as AC Milan, Atalanta, Inter Milan, and Newcastle. However, Osijek’s club director has stated that he is not interested in selling Matković yet, believing his value will continue to rise.
4. Lovro Zvonarek
19 years old. Attacking midfielder. €4.00M.
One of our most promising young talents, Lovro Zvonarek, showcased his skills during the 2023-2024 season with FC Bayern II, tallying 11 goals and seven assists in 31 appearances across all competitions. He also made five appearances for Bayern Munich, scoring his inaugural Bundesliga goal on May 12th in a starting role. Former coach Tomislav Stipić lauded Zvonarek for his game intelligence, quick decision-making, prowess in duels, long-range shooting ability, dribbling skills, and precise passing. Recently, Zvonarek was loaned to Austrian side Sturm Graz, where he is set to gain valuable playing time throughout the season and experience the UEFA Champions League. Take a look at his first senior Bundesliga goal in the clip below.
5. Niko Sigur
20 years old. Defensive midfielder/Right back. €4.00M
The 20 year-old splits his time between defensive midfield and right-back for Hajduk Split and could be our best option to replace the legendary Marcelo Brozović. During the 2023-2024 season, Sigur started in 90% of Hajduk’s games (38 appearances in total) and scored one goal to go along one assist. He has been praised for his passing ability and his role as a playmaker, demonstrating versatility by playing right-back and showing confidence in taking shots from outside the box. With Brozović likely retiring soon, Sigur is expected to join the men’s national team within the next year.
6. Luka Vušković
17 years old. Centre-Back. €7.00M.
Luka Vušković stands out prominently on this list for several compelling reasons. At just 17 years old and towering at 6’4”, he already competed at the senior level for RKS Radomiak in the top tier of the Polish league. Tottenham secured Vušković’s talents at the age of 16 for €13.80m, marking one of Hajduk’s most lucrative transfers. As a right-footed center-back, he is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most promising talents in his position, celebrated for his robust physicality, dominance in aerial duels, and notable goal-scoring prowess. His defensive capabilities shine through in his adeptness at intercepting and clearing balls. In his 14 appearances for Radomiak, he has netted three goals and provided one assist. Looking ahead, Vušković iis slated to join KVC Westerlo for the 2024-2025 club season in the Belgian Professional League, where he will team up with compatriot Matija Frigan.
7. Mauro Perković
21 years old. Left-Back/Centre-back. €5.00M.
The 21-year-old center back, who has also featured at left back, quietly enjoyed a commendable season at Dinamo Zagreb following his acquisition from Istra in June 2023 for €2.00 million. His strengths are evident in ground duels and tackling, offering Dinamo a reliable presence in defense. Perković has solidified his position as a regular starter after initially beginning the season on the bench, and is poised to maintain that role in the upcoming season, despite recent interest from an undisclosed Eredivisie club. Should he continue to excel and develop his game, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him and Gvardiol alternate between left back and center back in the coming years. Highlights from his tenure at Istra are detailed below.
8. Domagoj Bukvić
20 years old. Right Wing. €1.20M
The 20-year-old right winger had a breakout year at Osijek this past season, appearing in 35 HNL matches, scoring four goals and providing five assists. Known for his excellent footwork and ability to take on defenders one-on-one, Bukvić can dribble with agility and is not afraid to deliver crosses into the box. His smaller stature allows him to be creative in tight situations. In May 2024, Bukvić extended his contract with Osijek until 2027.
9. Franjo Ivanović
20 years old. Centre-Forward. €1.50M
The 20-year-old scored 12 goals and provided two assists across 41 appearances across all competitions in the 2023-2024 season for HNK Rijeka as a center forward. After a strong start to the campaign, his performance tapered off somewhat during the winter and spring, suggesting consistency may be an issue. Ivanović’s strengths lie in ball control and speed, making him elusive around defenders and positioning himself optimally for scoring opportunities.
10. Petar Sučić
20 years old. Defensive Midfield. €3.00M
Sučić made 42 appearances during the 2023-2024 season for Dinamo Zagreb, contributing two goals and two assists. The talented 20-year-old defensive midfielder, born in Bosnia & Herzegovina, opted to represent Croatia in 2024, stating, “The decision was not easy, but as a Croat, my greatest desire is to represent Croatia, my homeland.” Sučić excels in confined spaces, exhibits exceptional awareness, and demonstrates precision in his passing. Recently, Dinamo received an offer approaching €10 million from Como 1907, who earned promotion to Serie A this year. If the transfer does not materialize, he is expected to secure regular starting opportunities at Dinamo in the upcoming season. Notably, he shares a familial tie with Luka Sučić, earning additional recognition.
Out of these 10 guys, who will pan out first?
These are the players that are supposed to step after age 30s generation retires. The players stated below are aged 26-29 but sadly non has stepped up or has panned out the way we want. As a result, we need new bloods aged 20-24 to step up now. We have proven gvardiol stanisic baturina so far..we need musa beljo to step up now. Start injecting some youth. It maybe painful for a few years but it is worth it.
Peric
Muric coric halilovic pjaca
Balic rog
benkovic jedvaj
Delac
Injuries played a major role in the careers of Pjaca Rog Benkovic and Jedvaj. We are blessed that we have had so many talents.
There is a bit of a gap, but it’s mostly at the top…simply because it’s hard to replace a tandem of stars like Modric, Rakitic, Broz, Mandzo and Perisic. That is an elite World Cup winning team that most teams in the World have never come close to having.
Most of the players you listed were never serious prospects. Only Pjaca, Halilovic, Jedvaj, and (maybe) Coric were in their early years, but it was pretty obvious that Dinamo didn’t value Jedvaj and Coric with the way they were quick to sell them (which is a telltale sign that the prospect is not legit). Pjaca was a good player, but just had multiple bad knee injuries. Everyone else you listed were never that good at all and some aren’t even in that 26-29 age range.
But if we’re creating an honest list of players in that age bracket…the players you left out are Kovacic, Majer, Ivanusec, Pongracic, Erlic, Juranovic, Sosa, Pasalic, Petkovic, and Orsic. It’s a solid group of players, but not enough to replace the likes of Modric and Perisic.
If we had maybe a couple more of our high end prospects like Brekalo, Pjaca, and Halilovic break out (or not get injured)…then we’d be pretty solid right now.
The good news is that we have quite a few solid young guys under 25, like Gvardiol, Sucic, Stanisic, and Baturina (who should all be integrated in the lineup already).
We also have quite a collection of other younger players who are just waiting to break out and should be given a chance, but unfortunately, our problem with be our lack of a dynamic coach who is willing to change things.
The next two years could be good or bad, but it will largely be on Dalic and whether or not he can stop being a strict “veteran’s coach” and actually play the players who are performing, regardless of age.
Perica signed by udinese
Andrija balic linked with barce and real madrid but signed for udinese
Ante coric wanted by liverpool but signed for roma.
Halilovic to barcelona
Pjaca to juventus
Benkovic to leicester and celtic
Jedvaj to leverkusen
Rog to napoli but sarri ruined croatian players like radosevic and mandzukic as well.
All have played in starting 11 except halilovic playing for barcelona B team.
Vida is GONE!
“I used to pray for times like this” – Meek Mill
He should get his flowers and applause. A definite warrior. Was on the pitch for some of our greatest successes.
But him leaving in the grand scheme of things doesn’t change much. He was basically a part of the coaching staff who would occasionally get some game time and was a ‘glue’ type of guy in the locker room.
Vida retiring after 105 matches for Vatreni. He has not played a lot over the last two years for the national team and should have retired at the end of the Qatar WC as Lovren did. He was not the most talented player on the pitch, but he always gave it a 100% and for that we should be appreciative and congratulate him on a great representative career.
Yeah true that, just happy it’s over in a way.
He was just the victim of being Dalic’s favourite because of what he achieved in Russia. Also in a way, he shouldn’t get blamed for always getting the callup which shows yet again another example of Dalic’s terrible mismanagement of the team as he should be acting like a coach instead of pleasing certain people.
So we got any medal prospects in this olympics thing? I know we’ve had some good outings in recent times.
Our Waterpolo team is good. We’re one of the favorites.
We have that new Handball coach that is doing well, would be awesome to medal there.
We have a lot of recent European and World gold medal winners who should be favorites to medal like:
Matić for women’s Judo,
Sinković brothers for double skulls (rowing),
Stojković for women’s taekwondo,
Šapina for men’s taekwondo,
Golubić for men’s taekwondo,
We still have regulars like Pavić/Metkić for tennis doubles, Srbić for gymnastics, Damir Martin for rowing, Fantela brothers for sailing, Cernogoraz for shooting, etc. Who knows… maybe these guys medal again.
I replied, but it’s awaiting moderation.
CroatianSports wants us to strictly focus on soccer I guess. ????
You will remember when the site was CSR – CroatianSoccerReport haha !
Two goals and an assist for igor today, good momentum heading into the season regardless of who they played today.
Gabriel Vidovic rumors heating up
Brest are pursuing him in preparation for their European season
https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2024/brest-interested-in-bayern-munichs-gabriel-vidovic/
Adjukovic currently playing Nadal on the clay. Up a set and down a break in the second.
Only about 7 weeks until Croatia’s Nations League games start. First game is against Portugal. Just hoping that Ronaldo is still on the team. He is a complete liability now, as he proved over and over again at the Euros.
9/5/2024 Portugal-Croatia
9/8/2024 Croatia-Poland
10/12/2024 Croatia-Scotland
10/15/2024 Poland-Croatia
11/15/2024 Scotland-Croatia
11/18/2024 Croatia-Portugal
It will be a nice battle of two coaches who are too scared to cut or bench their veteran players.
Which coach will blink first, and win the game?
We are entering a new Frontier. No guarantees. Let’s see how it unfolds. Can’t go backwards. No time for nostalgia now. Someone said Petar and Luka are cousins.
What’s Petar familial tie with Luka Sucic? Brothers? Cousins?
Latest FIFA Rankings have us at No.12 a drop of 3 spots. As far as UEFA ranking, we at No. 8.
Really?
The live FIFA ranking has us at #10, sandwiched between Colombia and Uruguay.
On FIFA website dated 18/7/24 we are ranked at no.12.
Yea I guess there was a delay on the live daily rankings site. They both say 12 now.
That’s actually fair at this point I doubt that we could beat Columbia or Uruguay both teams at this point are better than us
Bruno durdov
Got our very own Bukayo Saka
A new light arrives when it is most dark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K7cCsqP7K4
Nice left footed goal, reminds me of Orsic, Palmer otherwise!
Sent the boats back to Brazil after all. 16 years old unbelievable. Kastela local even.
Forget about lamal!
Man I didn’t even realize olmo was golden boot. Is it too late to trade halilovic for olmo somehow????
I assume you are being facetious. I think Olmo made that decision long time ago. He enjoyed his time fully in Croatia, but was loyal to his homeland. Seems like a great person A to Z.
Spain is playing great soccer. and are fun to watch.
Halilovic, was more bark than bite unfortunately, and little Messi he never became.
LOL! He should have won the Golden Head award as well as the boot.
What a disappointment Alan turned out to be . It his fault father ruined him . To much to soon .
Bruno might be the best one in time, that goal he scored recently was sublime in all 3 phases…the touch to control the ball, the sharp cut back and the finish from a very tight angle..impressive !!
Yes impressive in so many ways. Seems to be more substantial and physical then Halilovic on the few videos available. Hadjuk champs 2025? Won’t stay long.
I can’t wait for Pep to play Gvardiol in the John Stones role this yr (staring at “CB
” position) so I don’t have to read the mis-guided posts that Gvardiol is a LB and will spend the rest of his career there
For the last time – go see his heat map vs. West Ham 2nd half (last game of the season) – this is the “LB” position Pep waited all season for Gvardiol to step into (vs. Dalic silly Gvardiol stick to the touchline the whole game “LB” position)
Southgate steps down desperate taking them to final after final after final – I wish we freshened up our coach too – we know Dalic loves Croatia and Croatia loves Dalic – but for the sake of the team – it’s good to get new ideas (incorporating “modern” players), new tactics, new training, etc etc etc
Hopefully Dalic shows he is able to changing – but ditching a bunch of the old-timers – and injecting youth (and playing them) in upcoming Nations League – if not will be like watching paint dry
See @proplanalysis on X
For some good video analysis / summary of some of our young prospects (focusing on players as young as born in 2007)
As e.g.
######
https://x.com/proplanalysis/status/1812553829294170598
It is interesting to see new generation Croatian talents who can play hybrid winger/striker role
Ante Crnac – 2003
Gabriel Vidovic – 2003
Franjo Ivanovic – 2003
Marin Soticek – 2004
Anton Matkovic – 2006
Simun Butic – 2006
Bruno Durdov – 2007
Patrik Maric – 2007
Modern players.
######
Some additional names / thoughts
Francis and Belinho
Noa Mikic – 60 yard run leading to nice goal and assist vs. Denmark U17 recently – he stood out that game – although in following game vs. Wales wasn’t at same level
Matanovic – have concerns about his “attitude” – some of his posts on the Gram – suggests he thinks he’s already Zlatan – lots of “GQ” poses in his Ralph Lauren management consultant sweater (i.e. not cool) w/ him playing with his hair (in his tiny apartment in Germany w/ average looking GF, lol) along with the steering wheel of his A-class Mercedes – bro u play in German 2nd division – when u start for Bayern (or equivalent) and are on 100+k p.w. than wake us up – otherwise know ur place, work hard, and earn it
Guess Marin Ljubicic is “too old” for this list – but isn’t he in line in terms of prospects with Matanovic at this stage ? i.e. both were on standby-list for senior team but than got called up for U21s
Sigur is a great story. He is from Vancouver, Canada and Vancouver have historically had some great Croatian diaspora talent.
Lovro Zvonarek can potentially grow into a big time player!
Based on the highlights linked with the players, Sigur’s look most impressive. He seems to have great ball control in tight spaces and is dynamic enough to take someone on 1v1. I’ve watched him play for the u21 and he’s got a sweet shot, especially from free kicks. I do like Matanović as a target man but Matković plays like a modern forward. He’s pacey and runs like Perišić used to.
As Maminjo said it’s a positive sign to see Bayern not willing to sell Zvonarek off yet as they probably feel he will continue to develop. Luka Vušković has some great ball skills for his size/age let’s just see how he develops the coming years. I wouldn’t bet on him playing a vital role for us until after WC26.since we have so many solid CB options entering their prime years and he would be 19.
Perković seemed to come out of nowhere but he does look solid defensively. Looks like folks have lost interest in Vidović, I still think he can have a place on the repka as a depth piece as he does have quality.
I’m not exactly sure our CB depth is as solid as we think, especially if Gvardiol has to play LB, since we have no depth there either
Vuskovic was de facto captain at 16 y.o. for a Polish team – with some players old enough to be his dad – that respect by older players – comes from his capability and innate leader ship qualities
So beyond Vuskovic’s “skills” he is currently earmarked as a future “vice-captain” (he must continue same trajectory…)
https://bleacherreport.com/post/real-madrid/a046bd99-89fa-409d-b76b-e0456ba8acca
Pure class.
39 year old #10 jersey and captain of Real Madrid!!
May these young talents learn from his example of what it is to be a nogometaš.
Argentina under fire for players racial comments about the France national team and Spain criticized for insulting chants against Gibraltar. I’m sure FIFA will step in and sanction them. Haha, I’m kidding, of course nothing will be done. And these two issues are directly from the players, unlike the many fines and sanctions imposed on Croatia. We get deducted points and play in empty stadiums because of fan behavior. And the behavior of the South American fans at Copa America was disgraceful. Even the head of Colombia’s soccer federation was arrested. But again, there will be no sanctions.
I remember when Croatia played in the World Cup and there were those who were complaining that Croatia was too white. I cannot stand Argentina or France. ZDS ????????
Correct, I read an article before the 2018 final saying the world should cheer for France because of their diversity and because Croatia is all white. It was basically a cry for woke idiots who don’t realize how or why France is so diverse.
A major French NGO did that. They wrote an article in the papers mocking Croatia for being too white.
Nobody seemed to care or fight for us then, so I don’t care if the French seem to be offended by what the Argentines are singing. They can deal with it themselves.
Head of Columbia and his SON
Add Uruguay (Bentacur throwing bottles – this follows some comments he made re team-mate “Son” recently – which he is still be investigated over – look it up)
I posted something on the other thread concerning this. I’m still waiting for them to impose sanctions, but that will never happen. God forbid we did that. Oh my God what would happen to us?
Good list of players and I have seen them all play either for our national youth teams or their respective clubs. In my opinion we’ll do well if 2 or 3 of the mentioned become regulars for our senior national team.
It is hard to tell who is going to succeed because they are young, and you can never tell how they will transition into senior football nor can you rule out serious injuries or poor choice of future clubs.
Having said all that, the three most likely to succeed in my opinion are: Zvonarek who is a very skillful and intelligent player, Matanovic is your typical target men – big, strong, good skills and good in the air, Vuskovic technically gifted, plays with both feet, tall, physically strong and reads the game well as a central defender.
I would not write off Soticek who is quick and can score goals and Matkovic is also a very promising forward. Petar Sucic has put in some good performances for Dinamo as a defensive midfielder.
The four most likely NOT to become regulars for our seniors are; Perkovic, Sigur, Ivanovic and Bukvic.
I agree that these three (along with Petar Sucic) are the most likely to pan out as regulars for us.
It’s a good sign that Bayern refuses to include an ‘option to buy’ on Zvonarek’s loan agreement. It’s also a good marker that Spurs spent an obscene amount of money for Vuskovic too. Eintracht don’t want to loan out Matanovic anymore, and recently extended his contract too.
I will be following Sturm Graz, Westerlo and Eintracht just because of these three (somebody has to do it if Dalic won’t).
I’m hoping Matkovic and Soticek make good club decisions over the next year or two as we need some more wingers. Soticek’s season stats are great, and so are Matkovic’s (when you consider the latter half of the year when he started to get chances). I’m hoping that Soticek’s decision to go to Basel over Dinamo doesn’t backfire.
“The decision was not easy, but as a Croat, my greatest desire is to represent Croatia, my homeland.”
The decision should be a very easy one.
Cut this mofo from the team.
I guess at least he speaks English ?
Unlike Sutalo (were excuses are being re-iterated he can’t be transferred here, can’t be transferred there, bc he doesn’t speak English – how many of his Croatian age cohort don’t speak English “fluently” by age 24 ? Seems like an excuse (especially as it came up last yr at Ajax)….
Ya Bosnia over cro
How is that even a thing
Olmovic probably had a tougher time choosing Spain
Luka Sunjic from NY. Plays for NYC FC U17
I love this!! Thanks Marc! Well done. Does anyone know anymore about Miles Perkovich? 2006, American-croatian. Got some pace apparently.
I found this on twitter:
“Miles Perkovich (18) is staying in Split and joining the U19 team of Hajduk Split, Miles hails from Miami, Florida and he was recently playing for Inter Miami Academy, since January has been in Split training with Hajduk.
Good potential with very good pace. One to watch.”
Pass