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Jan Mlakar Returns to Maribor: 'I Believe in the Story, I Believe in the Club'
๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ Slovenia /Sports

Jan Mlakar Returns to Maribor: 'I Believe in the Story, I Believe in the Club'

From Delo · () Slovenian

Translated from Slovenian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Jan Mlakar returns to NK Maribor on loan from Pisa until the end of the 2026/27 season, with an option for a permanent transfer.
  • Mlakar, a 27-year-old attacking midfielder, previously played 72 matches for Maribor, scoring 37 goals and winning a league title in 2018/19.
  • He expressed belief in the club's project and his brother's recent signing, aiming to quickly regain match fitness.

NK Maribor has announced a significant summer signing with the return of Jan Mlakar. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder joins on loan from Italian club Pisa until the end of the 2026/27 season, with Maribor securing an option to purchase him permanently.

We have increased diversity in attack with proven quality. Above all, with a player who identifies with the club, the fans, and everything Maribor represents.

โ€” Zlatko Zahoviฤ‡Sporting director Zlatko Zahoviฤ‡ on the significance of Jan Mlakar's return.

Mlakar brings a proven track record to Ljudski vrt, having played 72 matches and scored 37 goals for the club in previous stints. He was part of the 2018/19 championship-winning squad and was the league's top scorer in the 2020/21 season while at Maribor. His return is seen as a boost to the team's attacking options.

Jan is in his prime footballing years, we expect a lot from him, and we will do everything to ensure he feels very comfortable here and expresses his footballing qualities.

โ€” Zlatko Zahoviฤ‡Sporting director Zlatko Zahoviฤ‡ on expectations for Jan Mlakar.

Sporting director Zlatko Zahoviฤ‡ highlighted Mlakar's familiarity with the club and its environment. "We have increased diversity in attack with proven quality. Above all, with a player who identifies with the club, the fans, and everything Maribor represents," Zahoviฤ‡ stated. He added that Mlakar is in his prime footballing years and the club expects much from him.

From one side it is easy, regarding adaptation, as I will not waste time on that. On the other hand, it is also about responsibility, because I came back with the desire to build on these things.

โ€” Jan MlakarJan Mlakar on the ease of returning to Maribor and his sense of responsibility.

Mlakar himself expressed that adapting will be easy, as he knows the club well. He has been following Maribor's progress even while playing abroad and is excited to reunite with some former teammates, including his brother who also signed for the club recently. "I believe in the story, I believe in the club," Mlakar said, emphasizing his commitment and desire to build on his previous successes.

I believe in the story, I believe in the club.

โ€” Jan MlakarJan Mlakar expressing his confidence in NK Maribor's project.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delo in Slovenian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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