Everton F.C. Sign Nikola Vlašić for Hajduk Club Record
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Nikola Vlašić (Photo: Hajduk.hr)
English Premier League club Everton F.C. have signed Hajduk Split’s Croatian U-21 international Nikola Vlašić on a 5-year-deal, the club confirmed on Thursday.
Vlašić had been a target of the Merseyside club ever since the two sides met in the UEFA Europa League playoff earlier this month.
?⚪️ | #WelcomeVlasic! ?
The 19-year-old forward has joined from @hajduk on a five-year contract: https://t.co/rLYyIqtsT9 pic.twitter.com/qcBlBM0ceR
— Everton (@Everton) August 31, 2017
The tough midfielder was given permission to leave the Croatia U-21 squad in Zagreb on Tuesday to finalise the deal.
Photo: Hajduk Split)
The 19-year-old has scored 10 goals in 85 appearances for Hajduk Split, after debuting as a 16-year-old. He became Hajduk Split’s youngest scorer in international competitions, aged 16 years and 9 months when he netted on debut.
In 2014, Vlašić made the list of the world’s top 40 footballers born in 1997, compiled by The Guardian.
Vlašić made his senior debut for Croatia earlier this year when he started in a 2–1 win over Mexico in Los Angeles.
Vlašić making his senior debut for Croatia (Photo: HNS)
The transfer, reportedly worth around 10 million pounds, has broken a Hajduk Split club record for the biggest transfer fee. That record was held by AC Milan striker Nikola Kalinić who was signed from Hajduk by Blackburn for 7.5 million euros.
