Former Hajduk Player Set to Sign for Dinamo, Instagram Move Likely to Enrage Split Fans

Dinamo Zagreb is preparing to add another former Hajduk player, and Iker Almena’s first appearance against his old club could be especially hostile. The 22-year-old Spaniard is expected to sign for Dinamo on a one-year loan from Saudi top-flight side Al-Qadsiah.

The Maksimir club will have the option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season. Dinamo sees the winger as a strong fit for coach Mario Kovačević’s plans, but the final price will still need to be negotiated. Al-Qadsiah initially wanted 5 million euros, but would now accept 3 million.

Almena’s contract situation could help Dinamo. He will enter the final year of his Saudi contract after this season, a position that often gives potential buyers greater leverage in negotiations. Dinamo therefore hopes to agree on a lower purchase clause.

The Spaniard already made a positive impression in Croatian football with Hajduk, registering four goals and three assists. An injury limited him to 23 appearances in the white shirt. Hajduk had also taken him on loan from Al-Qadsiah, but could not keep him because the Saudi club demanded 5 million euros.

Hajduk supporters are unlikely to welcome the move to Dinamo. Almena has deleted all photographs of himself wearing the Hajduk shirt from his Instagram account, a decision the article describes as understandable for a player joining Dinamo. Even so, the move is expected to bring whistles when Dinamo visits Poljud for the derby on Oct. 10.