Incredible Twist at Poljud: How Hajduk Signed Carlos Martín at the Last Moment

Hajduk Split completed the signing of Carlos Martín just before the transfer deadline, in a deal that seemed almost impossible only days earlier.

The Spanish forward had effectively been ruled out as an option for Poljud after deciding to join Almería on loan. Hajduk had turned to other possibilities, and even on the morning of the final day for Conference League registration there was little optimism that a new right winger would arrive.

Then the Spanish deal collapsed. Almería said Atlético Madrid had not delivered all the required documents on time, preventing the loan from being completed. That failure unexpectedly reopened the door for Hajduk.

Around 10 a.m., it became clear that Martín would not be going to Almería. Hajduk contacted his manager and representatives, despite the uncertainty over whether a transfer could be completed so quickly. The first conversations showed that an agreement was possible. Martín also sought information about Hajduk, the squad, its style of play and the role Gonzalo García planned to give him before approving the move to Split.

The decisive work began around 7 p.m. Hajduk had only a few hours to settle the remaining details, arrange a medical examination in Spain, complete registration and gather the documents needed to register Martín for European competition. He arrived with a significant advantage: he had completed Atlético’s entire preseason and had recently played competitive football. Two weeks before joining Hajduk, he started Atlético’s opening La Liga match and played 57 minutes. García therefore should not need to wait for him to regain match fitness, and Martín can be made available immediately.