Official: Hajduk Confirms Major Signing, Bringing in Replacement for Brajković
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Hajduk Split has officially confirmed the signing of Marin Šotiček on a one-year loan from Swiss club Basel.
- The 21-year-old winger returns to Croatian football after struggling for playing time at Basel last season.
- Šotiček was previously considered a significant talent in Croatian football, having debuted at 17 and drawing interest from other clubs before his move to Switzerland.
Hajduk Split has officially announced a significant reinforcement for their squad, securing the return of Marin Šotiček to Croatian football. The talented 21-year-old winger joins the club on a one-year loan from Swiss side FC Basel, where he experienced limited playing time last season.
Šotiček's return to the Croatian First Football League (HNL) had been rumored for some time, with Rijeka initially appearing to be the frontrunner for his signature. However, Hajduk emerged as the more decisive party in negotiations over the past few days, securing the player's services.
Regarded as a prodigious talent during his time at Lokomotiva, Šotiček made his debut at just 17 years old, quickly showcasing his speed, penetration, and finishing ability. His potential attracted considerable attention, including from Dinamo Zagreb two years ago. Although Dinamo had reportedly agreed on terms with Lokomotiva, negotiations faltered over player agreement. Hajduk was also involved in the pursuit then, but Basel ultimately secured his transfer for three million euros.
During his two seasons in Switzerland, Šotiček appeared in 70 matches for Basel, scoring seven goals. His move back to Croatia signals a desire for more consistent playing time and an opportunity to reignite his promising career.
Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.