Nikola Soldo (born 25 January 2001) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a defender for 2. Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 25 January 2001 | ||
| Place of birth | Stuttgart, Germany | ||
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | 1. FC Köln | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2006–2010 | Dinamo Zagreb | ||
| 2010–2011 | Lokomotiva Zagreb | ||
| 2011–2013 | Zagreb | ||
| 2013–2014 | HAŠK | ||
| 2014–2015 | Tekstilac Ravnice | ||
| 2015–2019 | Inter Zaprešić | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019–2021 | Inter Zaprešić | 55 | (3) |
| 2021–2022 | Lokomotiva Zagreb | 37 | (2) |
| 2022– | 1. FC Köln | 7 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | → 1. FC Kaiserslautern (loan) | 15 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2019 | Croatia U18 | 3 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | Croatia U19 | 3 | (0) |
| 2023 | Croatia U20 | 2 | (0) |
| 2021– | Croatia U21 | 8 | (1) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 May 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 June 2023 | |||
Club career
editHe began his career in the Dinamo Zagreb youth system, joining the club in 2008 during his father Zvonimir's managerial spell with the first team.[1] He was recognized as a promising talent, even before his teenage years.[2] He bounced around with several clubs before settling at Inter Zaprešić in 2015.
Soldo made his professional debut on 16 August 2019 as a member of the starting lineup during a 2–1 loss to Dinamo Zagreb.[3] Three months later, he scored his first goal in the final minutes of a defeat to Rijeka.[4] On 1 September 2022, the last day of the German transfer window, Soldo was transferred to Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln. He signed a contract until 2025 with the club.[5]
On 16 August 2023, Soldo moved on loan to 1. FC Kaiserslautern in 2. Bundesliga.[6]
Personal life
editHis father Zvonimir was a long-time member of the Croatia national team, notably playing at the UEFA Euro 1996, and the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.[3] At the club level, he played with Dinamo Zagreb, Zadar and Inter Zaprešić in his native country before finishing his career with a ten-year spell at VfB Stuttgart. Nikola was born in Stuttgart in 2001, midway through his father's fifth season in Germany.
His older brothers, Matija and Filip, are footballers as well, with Filip currently representing Inter Zaprešić.[3]
Career statistics
editClub
edit- As of 31 March 2020[7]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Inter Zaprešić | 2019–20 | Prva HNL | 19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | |
| Career total | 19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | ||
References
edit- ^ "Nikola Soldo: Bit ću bolji nogometaš od tate Zvone" (in Croatian). 24sata. 13 February 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ Groninger, Detlef (21 May 2012). "Soldos Sohn ragt bei Mini Masters heraus" (in German). Südwest Presse. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ a b c Mrvec, Damir (19 August 2019). "Tata me savjetuje, vozi na treninge, volio bih ponoviti njegov uspjeh" (in Croatian). Večernji list. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Rijeka nadigrala Inter, Osijek do pobjede u 94. minuti" (in Croatian). HRT Sport. 24 November 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "FC verpflichtet Nikola Soldo". 1. FC Köln (in German). Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ "FCK LEIHT NIKOLA SOLDO VOM 1. FC KÖLN AUS" [FCK LOANS NIKOLA SOLDO FROM 1. FC KÖLN] (in German). 1. FC Kaiserslautern. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ Nikola Soldo at Soccerway
External links
edit- Nikola Soldo at Soccerway.com
- Nikola Soldo at WorldFootball.net
- Nikola Soldo at FBref.com
- Nikola Soldo at the Croatian Football Federation
