Mateo Kovačić sets new Croatian transfer record

Mateo Kovačić (Photo: Светлана Бекетова/World Cup 2018/CC)

LONDON, July, 1 2019 – Midfielder Mateo Kovačić (25) has become the most expensive signing in Croatian history after Chelsea confirmed his purchase from Real Madrid today. 

Kovačić has signed with the Blues on a permanent 5-year deal after spending last season there on loan from Real Madrid. According to the BBC, Chelsea spent €45m on the Croatian. 

The signing is the most expensive in Croatian history, beating the previous record which was also set by Kovačić when Italian club Inter Milan paid €31m for him from Dinamo Zagreb. 

“It was an amazing feeling to sign for Chelsea, first on loan and now permanently. It is a fantastic club, with great team-mates and we play a good style of football. I am very proud to be staying here and very proud to be a Chelsea player,” Kovačić was reported as saying on the club’s official website. 

Kovačić has played in two World Cups and is still just 25 (Photo: HNS)

Kovačić will feature this season in the Chelsea midfield with another player with Croatian heritage, Christian Pulisic. Chelsea signed the American-Croatian to replace Eden Hazard who has moved to Real Madrid. 

TOP 10 Most Expensive Croatian Transfers of All-Time

1. Mateo Kovačić 2019/20 Real Madrid – Chelsea (€45 mil)
2. Mateo Kovačić 2015/16 Inter – Real Madrid (€31 mil)
3. Luka Modrić 2012/13 Tottenham – Real Madrid (€30 mil) 
4. Dejan Lovren 2014/15 Southampton – Liverpool (€25,3 mil) 
5. Marko Pjaca 2016/17 Dinamo – Juventus (€23 mil) 
6. Mario Mandžukić 2014/15 Bayern Munich – Atletico Madrid (€22 mil)
7. Mario Mandžukić 2015/16 Atletico Madrid – Juventus (€21 mil) 
8. Luka Modrić 2008/09 Dinamo – Tottenham (€21 mil)
9. Nikola Kalinić 2018/19 Fiorentina – Milan (€20 mil) 
10. Duje Ćaleta-Car 2018/19 Salzburg – Marseille (€19 mil)