Lokomotiva Sign Experienced HNL Player as Istra Send Youngster to Turkey

Two transfers shaped Friday’s activity in Croatia’s top flight. Lokomotiva Zagreb brought back 29-year-old left-back Marijan Čabraja, while Istra 1961 sent young player Ivan Šaranić to Turkey.

Čabraja joined Lokomotiva as a free agent after leaving Gorica at the end of last season. He signed a one-year contract with the Zagreb club. The defender began his professional career with Dinamo’s second team and has also played for Ferencvaros, Olimpija Ljubljana, Hibernian and Rijeka.

He previously spent time at Gorica from 2018 to 2021 before returning to the club in 2025. “I know many of my new teammates, and I know the adaptation will be easy and quick. I am looking forward to my time at Lokomotiva,” Čabraja said after completing the move.

Šaranić left Istra after less than three months and will continue his career at Bursaspor, currently second in Turkey’s second tier. He also began professionally at Dinamo and was one of the standout players in Croatia’s First NL last season while playing for Sesvete.

Lokomotiva are sixth in the HNL with six points. Istra 1961 are one place below them on five points.

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I know many of my new teammates, and I know the adaptation will be easy and quick. I am looking forward to my time at Lokomotiva.