How a Croatian midfielder navigated European leagues to reach his current club in Greece
In short: Lovro Majer has carved a professional path from the youth academies of Zagreb to the top tiers of French and German football. Now playing for AEK Athens, the Croatian international has balanced club struggles with national team milestones, including a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Brazil at the 2022 World Cup.
Born in Zagreb in 1998, Lovro Majer began his professional journey with Lokomotiva Zagreb, where he quickly earned recognition as a standout young talent. By 2018, his performances in the Prva HNL earned him the Best Young Footballer award and a spot in the Team of the Season. His rise attracted interest from clubs across Europe, including Newcastle United and Sampdoria, before he secured a high-profile move to Dinamo Zagreb. His tenure at Dinamo was defined by fluctuating fortunes, marked by injury, managerial changes, and a brief period of limited playing time that nearly led to a transfer to Birmingham City in 2020.
Majer eventually found stability, becoming a key figure for Dinamo before moving to Ligue 1 side Rennes in 2021 for a reported €12 million. His time in France saw a breakthrough season where he contributed significantly to the team's attacking output, earning a place in L'Équipe's Ligue 1 team of the season. After a challenging 2022–23 campaign, he transitioned to the Bundesliga with VfL Wolfsburg. By July 2026, he had moved to the Greek club AEK Athens, marking the latest chapter in a career defined by tactical versatility as a central or attacking midfielder.
On the international stage, Majer has been a consistent presence for Croatia. His national team career includes appearances in the UEFA Under-21 European Championships and a pivotal role in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. During that tournament, he scored against Canada and successfully converted a penalty in the quarter-final shootout against Brazil. Despite the disappointment of the 2023 UEFA Nations League final, where he and teammate Bruno Petković saw their penalties saved by Spain's Unai Simón, Majer remains a central figure in Croatia's tactical setup, often operating across the midfield and wings.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Lovro Majer
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