Former Croatia and AC Milan forward Nikola Kalinic has returned to his roots, signing a deal with Hajduk Split until the end of the season.
The reunion comes just over five months after Kalinic departed the club at the end of his contract. The seasoned striker, now 36, started his professional journey with Hajduk, making his debut in the 2005-06 season.
This move marks his third spell with the club, and despite being a free agent after taking a break, Kalinic is back in familiar territory, determined to make a significant impact.
Kalinic, who has experienced football in various top European leagues, described his return to Hajduk as the “easiest deal” he has ever signed with the club.
What makes this homecoming even more special is the fact that Kalinic has willingly disclosed his salary, a mere €1 (86p).
Mindaugas Nikolicius, the director of Hajduk Split, expressed his enthusiasm for Kalinic’s return, stating that the veteran striker’s primary goal is to help the team secure the title after 19 long years.
Currently sitting at the top of the Croatian league, six points ahead of Rijeka, Hajduk Split is poised for success.
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With Kalinic’s wealth of experience and proven goal-scoring abilities, he could be the missing piece in the puzzle as the team strives to clinch the championship.
Nikola Kalinic’s football journey has been diverse, featuring stints in some of the most competitive leagues in Europe.
From the Premier League with Blackburn to Serie A with Fiorentina, Milan, Roma, and Verona, and La Liga with Atlético Madrid, Kalinic has accumulated a wealth of experience that he can now bring back to his boyhood club.
His return not only adds depth to Hajduk Split’s squad but also brings a level of maturity and strategic insight that comes with having played in some of the toughest football environments.
Kalinic will once again don the No. 9 shirt for Hajduk Split, a number that holds special significance in his career. Aleksandar Trajkovski, who previously wore the No. 9 shirt, voluntarily gave it up to accommodate Kalinic’s return, choosing to adopt the No. 27 jersey instead.
