From Runovići to the European Stage: The Versatile Path of Kristijan Jakić
In short: Born in 1997, Croatian footballer Kristijan Jakić has navigated a complex career path across Europe. From his early development in local academies to high-stakes matches in the Bundesliga and Europa League, Jakić has evolved into a reliable defensive midfielder, centre-back, and right-back currently competing in the Greek Super League.
Kristijan Jakić began his football journey at age seven with NK Mračaj Runović before progressing through the ranks at Imotski and RNK Split. His professional trajectory gained momentum following a loan spell at Istra 1961, where he regained form under coach Darko Raić-Sudar. This resurgence led to a pivotal move to Dinamo Zagreb in July 2020 for a fee of 1.2 million euros. During his tenure there, he became a fixture in the starting lineup, contributing to both domestic league success and European campaigns.
The midfielder's career took a significant turn in August 2021 when he joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan. Despite a mid-table finish in the Bundesliga, Jakić played a crucial role in the club's historic Europa League run. His contributions helped the team remain undefeated throughout the tournament, including a notable victory over Barcelona and a final win against Rangers via a penalty shootout. This success solidified his standing, leading to a permanent transfer to Frankfurt in May 2022.
Jakić's adaptability has defined his recent years, moving to FC Augsburg in January 2024 before securing a permanent deal with the club that runs until June 2028. His international career also reflects this steady rise; he earned his first call-up to the Croatia national team in September 2021 and made his debut against Cyprus the following month. By May 2026, he was named among the twenty-six players selected for the national team's World Cup roster, marking another milestone in his professional evolution before his subsequent loan move to PAOK in September 2026.
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