Dinamo and Hajduk Make Late Moves as Croatian Transfer Window Closes

The Croatian Football League transfer window is closing, with Dinamo and Hajduk both making late moves.

After bringing back goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski and midfielder Luka Ivanušec, Dinamo has signed Spanish winger Iker Almena, who spent last season at Hajduk on loan from Saudi club Al Qadsiah and was one of the Split club’s top performers.

Almena began his professional career with Spanish lower-league club Can Vidalet and was a member of Girona from 2022 to 2024. He then moved to Saudi Arabia to join Al Qadsiah.

Almena attracted additional attention ahead of the transfer after removing photos of himself wearing a Hajduk jersey from his social media profiles, prompting numerous negative reactions from fans of the Split club.

Meanwhile, Hajduk has made two additions: former Belgium international Leander Dendoncker and Spanish forward Carlos Martín, who joins on loan from Atlético Madrid.

Dendoncker has been a free agent since June, when his contract with Real Oviedo expired. He played his last match for the club on February 28, after which he suffered an injury that ended his season.

Dendoncker represented Belgium at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

The 24-year-old Martín started for Atlético in their opening league match against Rayo Vallecano this season. He is under contract with the Madrid club until the summer of 2029.

Martín came through Atlético’s system and spent his entire professional career with the club, although he enjoyed his best season in 2023/24 while on loan at Mirandés, scoring 15 goals in the Spanish second division.