.jpg) Kalinić playing forCroatia in 2013 | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nikola Kalinić[1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | (1988-01-05)5 January 1988 (age 38) | ||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Split,SR Croatia,Yugoslavia | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2] | ||||||||||||||||
| Position | Forward | ||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||
| 1998–2005 | Hajduk Split | ||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||
| 2005–2009 | Hajduk Split | 59 | (32) | ||||||||||||||
| 2006 | →Pula Staro Češko (loan) | 12 | (3) | ||||||||||||||
| 2007 | →Šibenik (loan) | 8 | (3) | ||||||||||||||
| 2009–2011 | Blackburn Rovers | 44 | (7) | ||||||||||||||
| 2011–2015 | Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk | 86 | (37) | ||||||||||||||
| 2015–2018 | Fiorentina | 68 | (27) | ||||||||||||||
| 2017–2018 | →AC Milan (loan) | 31 | (6) | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | AC Milan | 1 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2018–2020 | Atlético Madrid | 17 | (2) | ||||||||||||||
| 2019–2020 | →Roma (loan) | 15 | (5) | ||||||||||||||
| 2020–2022 | Hellas Verona | 33 | (6) | ||||||||||||||
| 2022–2025 | Hajduk Split | 40 | (10) | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 415 | (140) | |||||||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | Croatia U16 | 2 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| 2004–2005 | Croatia U17 | 18 | (15) | ||||||||||||||
| 2005–2007 | Croatia U19 | 12 | (11) | ||||||||||||||
| 2006 | Croatia U20 | 1 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2007–2010 | Croatia U21 | 9 | (4) | ||||||||||||||
| 2008–2018 | Croatia | 42 | (15) | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||||||||||||||||
Nikola Kalinić (Croatian pronunciation:[nǐkolakǎlinitɕ];[3][4] born 5 January 1988) is a Croatian former professionalfootballer who played as astriker. He was also formerly sports director ofCroatian Football League clubHajduk Split.
Kalinić began his career with Hajduk Split in his native Croatia, before moving to English clubBlackburn Rovers for £6 million in 2009. After scoring rarely in twoPremier League seasons, he left for Ukrainian sideDnipro, helping them reach the2015 UEFA Europa League final. He then played inSerie A forFiorentina andAC Milan, before signing for Spanish clubAtlético Madrid ahead of the2018–19 season, winning the2018 UEFA Super Cup.[5] After further stints in Italy withRoma andHellas Verona, Kalinić returned to Hajduk Split in 2022, before ending his playing career in 2024.
Kalinić made his debut for theCroatia senior team in 2008, and represented the nation at threeUEFA European Championships. Initially a part of their2018 FIFA World Cup squad, Kalinić was sent home after the first game by managerZlatko Dalić. Subsequently, he refused the runners-up medal when offered.[6]
Born inSplit, Kalinić began his playing career atHajduk Split. He made hisPrva HNL debut in the2005–06 season at age 17. On 1 August 2006, he was sent on loan toPula Staro Češko to receive more first-team action. In his loan time at Pula, he had a slow but fair start considering his young age. Despite not playing all too regularly in a short single season with them, he still managed to adapt and find goalscoring form, scoring 3 goals in 12 league appearances.
Kalinić's first goals in the Prva HNL came in the 2–0 victory againstKamen Ingrad on 23 September 2006 as he scored a brace to give his side the victory.[7] Upon ending his short time at Pula, managerKrunoslav Jurčić was largely impressed with him, stating he could become the nextZlatan Ibrahimović.[8]
Despite his intentions to stay at Pula, Kalinić returned to Hajduk and was immediately sent out on loan toŠibenik, where he saw occasional first team action and immediately impressed with all-round performances and a goal-scoring ability, scoring three goals in eight appearances.
After clearly showing the ability to adapt well to the Croatian league, Kalinić returned to Hajduk and immediately saw plenty of first team action. He made his returning debut againstCibalia as a substitute, then secured his first start in the squad during the 2–1 victory againstOsijek at thePoljud Stadium. His 17 league goals in his first season with Hajduk was only beaten by league topscorerŽelimir Terkeš, who scored 21 goals.[9] However, it was a great achievement for the youngster, who had initially set a target of scoring 15 goals. He finished the2007–08 season in fifth place with Hajduk in the league,[10] also helping them reach the final of theCroatian Cup in the same season. In all competitions, he ended the year with 26 goals, receiving the covetedSwan d'or Award from the Croatian Press Association.
Kalinić began the next season by scoring the second goal in Hajduk's 0–4 away victory against Maltese sideBirkirara, thus advancing them to the next round of qualification for the2008–09 UEFA Cup.[11] In Hajduk'sderby match over league rivalsDinamo Zagreb, Kalinić scored the first goal with a penalty kick. Hajduk went on to win the match 2–0 and overtake Dinamo in the league table.[12]
Kalinić went for a one-week trial at English clubPortsmouth in late July 2009, whereupon a fee thought to be in the region of £6 million was agreed between Hajduk and Portsmouth. However, the move fell through due to financial reasons. On 31 July 2009, Kalinić was heavily linked with another Premier League club,Blackburn Rovers. Later that day, the player's agent confirmed Kalinić had been at Blackburn's ground talking to the club on the 30th and 31st with regard to the deal to take the player toEwood Park. The player's agent also confirmed that the fee was €7 million should the deal be completed; the contract had been agreed and his client was due to sign for the club. The player also made light that theLancashire-based club expected "big things" from the highly rated Croat.[13]
On 1 August 2009, the move stepped closer when Hajduk club president Mate Peroš confirmed Blackburn had an offer accepted by the club, the best from any club. He also said, "Very quickly we finished the talks with the club [Blackburn]."[14]
On 3 August 2009, Kalinić signed for Blackburn Rovers on a four-year deal.[15] The transfer fee is believed to be in the region of £6 million.[16] One week later, Kalinić was successfully awarded a work permit and officially signed for the club.[17] However, his debut was delayed as he had to return from his homeland to collect his permit, meaning he was not officially registered in time for Rovers' opening match of the season, againstManchester City. On 13 August, he was officially confirmed as a Blackburn player and was assigned the number 22 jersey for the2009–10 season, making his debut againstSunderland nine days later.
On 27 October, Kalinić scored his first goal for Blackburn againstPeterborough United in theLeague Cup.[18] He scored his second goal in the quarter-final of the competition againstChelsea, but missed a penalty in the shootout which Blackburn went on to win regardless.[19] His good cup form continued in January, scoring three goals againstAston Villa - one in theFA Cup and then the two opening goals in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final, which ended 6-4 to Villa. Kalinić scored his first Premier League goal againstWigan Athletic with a header from a resultant corner taken byMorten Gamst Pedersen in the 76th minute of a 2–1 victory.
He was handed the number nine shirt by managerSam Allardyce at the beginning of the newPremier League campaign. Despite missing much of pre-season, Kalinić started the2010–11 season well, scoring the only goal in Blackburn's opening day victory overEverton atEwood Park on 14 August. On 28 December 2010, he netted his first brace in Blackburn colours in their 1–3 away win overWest Bromwich Albion atThe Hawthorns, though he was later sent off in this game. After Sam Allardyce was sacked as Blackburn manager, Kalinić fell out of favor with Blackburn's newly appointed managerSteve Kean.[20]
On 11 August 2011, Kalinić signed forDnipro of theUkrainian Premier League for an undisclosed fee.[21] He made his debut for the club on 13 August 2011 as a second-half substitute againstleague championsShakhtar Donetsk in a 3–1 defeat. He marked his first appearance for the club with a goal but was red carded for elbowing just two minutes after scoring.[22] Kalinić netted ten goals in all competitions in both his first and second seasons with the Ukrainian side.
On 27 May 2015, Kalinić opened the scoring with a header in theEuropa League Final against holdersSevilla inWarsaw, although his team eventually lost 2–3.[23] Kalinić scored six other goals in his sides run to the Europa League final and another 12 league goals, taking his tally for the 2014–15 season to 19, the highest of his career.
In August 2015, Kalinić signed a contract withFiorentina. The fee was reported to be a figure close to €5 million.[24] HisSerie A debut came in a 2–0 win overAC Milan,[25] and he then scored the first goal againstBologna in a match which also ended 2–0.[26] On 27 September, Kalinić scored a hat-trick away againstInter Milan in a 4–1 victory.[27] Due to this win, Fiorentina reached the top of Serie A for the first time since1998–99.[28] Eight weeks later, he scored twice in a game againstEmpoli, the double earning Fiorentina a 2–2 draw.[29]
Another 11 months later, he scored another hat-trick againstCagliari, although his side was beaten 5–3.[30] During this season (on 15 April 2017), he was sent off for the first time, against Empoli.[31] The referee showed him the red card for his protests at the final whistle.[31]Tianjin Quanjian made an offer of €50 million for Kalinić which was accepted by Fiorentina, but the offer was turned down by the player.[32]
At the start of2017–18 season, Kalinić's number 9 shirt was given toGiovanni Simeone, with Kalinić assigned the number 99 shirt instead.[33]
On 22 August 2017, Kalinić joined AC Milan on loan with an obligation to purchase for a reported fee of about €25 million.[34] He chose to wear the number 7 shirt, as it was vacant.[35] He made his debut in a 2–1 victory at theSan Siro againstCagliari on 27 August, coming on as a substitute in the 78th minute.[36] On 17 September, he scored a brace in his first start for Milan inSerie A againstUdinese as Milan won 2–1.[37]
On 9 August 2018,Atlético Madrid signed Kalinić on a three-year contract.[38] Six days later, he was an unused substitute as they defeatedrivalsReal Madrid to win the2018 UEFA Super Cup inTallinn.[39]
He made hisLa Liga debut in a 0–2 loss againstCelta Vigo on 1 September, coming on as a substitute in the 56th minute. On 8 December 2018, he started the game againstAlaves in place of the injuredDiego Costa and scored his team's first goal in an eventual 3-0 home win, by tapping in (in fact from the lower part of his stomach) a curling cross fromSantiago Arias, which was also his first league goal of the campaign.[40]
He scored his first goal for the club with a powerful header in the second half to help his team in a 5-0 aggregate win in the second leg of theRound of 32 tie in the season'sCopa del Rey clash against fourth tierSant Andreu.[41]
On 2 September 2019, Kalinić joinedA.S. Roma on a season-long loan deal which included an optional purchase clause.[42] Roma chose not to activate the clause and Kalinić returned to Atlético at the end of the season.
On 5 October 2020, Kalinić joinedHellas Verona until 2022.[43]
On 6 February 2022, Kalinić returned toHajduk Split.[44] Kalinić left the club when his contract expired in June 2023 but returned on 3 January 2024 on a short-term deal until the end of theseason,[45] accepting a symbolic monthly wage of €1.[46]
On 27 May 2024, Kalinić ended his playing career and accepted a role of being the club's sports director. His official presentation and press conference was held the same day at thePoljud Stadium.[47] Following an unsatisfying summer transfer window, Kalinić was relieved of his duties on 10 September 2024.[48]
Kalinić was a key player in theCroatia national under-21 team during his youth playing years, also representing his country at the under-17 and -19 level. He first made a name for himself at international level at age 17 during the2005 UEFA European Under-17 Championship when he finished the campaign as the top scorer with 11 goals. At the under-19 level, he managed another five goals during his side's preliminary round of the same tournament. He also scored a hat-trick against Lithuania in Croatia's 3–0 victory, which secured them a spot in the nextelite round of theUEFA European Under-19 Championship in2006.[49]
Initially supposed to be called up by head coachSlaven Bilić for the few remainingqualifying matches ofUEFA Euro 2008, Kalinić missed the chance due to injury and was instead replaced byMario Mandžukić.[50] However, his constant impressive abilities earned him a place inCroatia's final squad for Euro 2008.[51] He made his first appearance for the senior national team on 24 May 2008, coming on as a substitute in the 62nd minute of Croatia's 1–0 friendly win againstMoldova.[52] He went on to make his first competitive appearance for his national side at Euro 2008 in Croatia's final group match againstPoland, coming on as a substitute for goalscorerIvan Klasnić in the 1–0 victory.
On 17 November 2010, Kalinić scored his first international goal, scoring the third goal in Croatia's 3–0 win at home toMalta in theEuro 2012 qualifiers. On 9 February 2011, he scored a brace in a 4–2 victory over theCzech Republic in an international friendly game.
In June 2012, Kalinić replaced the injuredIvica Olić in Croatia's squad forEuro 2012 and remained an unused substitute in the tournament.[53]
Kalinić missed the2014 World Cup, but received a call-up back for a friendly againstArgentina in 2014, although he remained an unused substitute.[54]
In 2015, Kalinić returned to the international level. AtEuro 2016, he scored a goal and assisted in a 2–1 victory in a group stage match against defending championsSpain.[55]
On 4 June 2018, Kalinić was named in Croatia's 23-man squad for the2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[56] On the fifth day of the tournament, he was sent home after refusing to come on as a late substitute during Croatia's first game of the competition againstNigeria, claiming to have a back injury, ending his international career.[57] Kalinić had refused to play for the same reason previously during a friendly match againstBrazil as well as during the previous day's training session.[58][59] Following the conclusion of the tournament, Kalinić was awarded a silver medal for being part of the Croatian team, but refused to accept it.[6][60]
Nicknamedcondor, Kalinić was usually deployed as an out-and-out striker, and was mainly known for his consistent goalscoring ability, courtesy of his composure in front of goal and clinical finishing inside the box. However, he also possessed good technique and link-up play, which along with his size and selfless team-play, enabled him to hold up the ball with his back to goal, play off of other players, and create chances for teammates; as such he was capable of playing anywhere along the front line, and was also used as asecond striker on occasion, or as afalse 9. His movement off the ball allowed him to provide depth to his team, exploit gaps in the opposing defenice, or create space for his teammates with his attacking runs.
A tall and physically strong player, with good elevation, Kalinić was also known for his ability in the air, which made him a threat on set pieces. Although he was not gifted with significant pace, he was also a mobile player, known for his defensive work-rate off the ball when possession was lost, as well as his willingness to track back and press opponents.[61][62][63]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Hajduk Split | 2005–06 | Prva HNL | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2007–08 | Prva HNL | 25 | 17 | 7 | 9 | — | 4[c] | 0 | — | 36 | 26 | |||
| 2008–09 | Prva HNL | 28 | 15 | 4 | 2 | — | 4[c] | 1 | — | 36 | 18 | |||
| Total | 59 | 32 | 12 | 11 | — | 8 | 1 | — | 79 | 44 | ||||
| Pula Staro Češko (loan) | 2006–07 | Prva HNL | 12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 13 | 3 | |||
| Šibenik (loan) | 2006–07 | Prva HNL | 8 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 3 | ||||
| Blackburn Rovers | 2009–10 | Premier League | 26 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | — | — | 33 | 7 | ||
| 2010–11 | Premier League | 18 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 20 | 6 | |||
| Total | 44 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 4 | — | — | 53 | 13 | ||||
| Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk | 2011–12 | Ukrainian Premier League | 19 | 10 | 0 | 0 | — | 2[d] | 0 | — | 21 | 10 | ||
| 2012–13 | Ukrainian Premier League | 21 | 6 | 2 | 1 | — | 6[d] | 3 | — | 29 | 10 | |||
| 2013–14 | Ukrainian Premier League | 19 | 6 | 0 | 0 | — | 4[d] | 1 | — | 23 | 7 | |||
| 2014–15 | Ukrainian Premier League | 23 | 12 | 6 | 2 | — | 19[d] | 5 | — | 48 | 19 | |||
| 2015–16 | Ukrainian Premier League | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | |||||
| Total | 86 | 37 | 8 | 3 | — | 31 | 9 | — | 125 | 49 | ||||
| Fiorentina | 2015–16 | Serie A | 36 | 12 | 1 | 0 | — | 5[d] | 1 | — | 42 | 13 | ||
| 2016–17 | Serie A | 32 | 15 | 2 | 0 | — | 7[d] | 5 | — | 41 | 20 | |||
| Total | 68 | 27 | 3 | 0 | — | 12 | 6 | — | 83 | 33 | ||||
| AC Milan (loan) | 2017–18 | Serie A | 31 | 6 | 4 | 0 | — | 6[d] | 0 | — | 41 | 6 | ||
| Atlético Madrid | 2018–19 | La Liga | 17 | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | 3[e] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 4 | |
| Roma (loan) | 2019–20 | Serie A | 15 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | 2[d] | 0 | — | 19 | 5 | ||
| Hellas Verona | 2020–21 | Serie A | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 19 | 2 | |||
| 2021–22 | Serie A | 14 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 15 | 4 | ||||
| Total | 33 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 34 | 6 | |||||
| Hajduk Split | 2021–22 | Prva HNL | 11 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 12 | 4 | |||
| 2022–23 | HNL | 18 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | 6[f] | 0 | 1[g] | 0 | 25 | 4 | ||
| 2023–24 | HNL | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 11 | 2 | ||||
| 2024–25 | HNL | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 39 | 10 | 2 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 10 | |||
| Hajduk total | 98 | 42 | 14 | 11 | — | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 127 | 54 | |||
| Career total | 415 | 140 | 39 | 18 | 7 | 4 | 68 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 527 | 176 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia | 2008 | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 8 | 3 | |
| 2012 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 8 | 5 | |
| 2017 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 42 | 15 | |
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 November 2010 | Stadion Maksimir,Zagreb, Croatia | 4 |  Malta | 3–0 | 3–0 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
| 2 | 9 February 2011 | Stadion Aldo Drosina,Pula, Croatia | 5 |  Czech Republic | 2–0 | 4–2 | Friendly |
| 3 | 3–2 | ||||||
| 4 | 3 June 2011 | Stadion Poljud,Split, Croatia | 8 |  Georgia | 2–1 | 2–1 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
| 5 | 25 May 2012 | Stadion Aldo Drosina, Pula, Croatia | 13 |  Estonia | 2–0 | 3–1 | Friendly |
| 6 | 10 September 2013 | Jeonju World Cup Stadium,Jeonju, South Korea | 18 |  South Korea | 2–0 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 7 | 10 October 2015 | Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia | 24 |  Bulgaria | 3–0 | 3–0 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |
| 8 | 17 November 2015 | Olimp-2,Rostov-on-Don, Russia | 26 |  Russia | 1–1 | 3–1 | Friendly |
| 9 | 4 June 2016 | Stadion Rujevica,Rijeka, Croatia | 29 |  San Marino | 8–0 | 10–0 | Friendly |
| 10 | 9–0 | ||||||
| 11 | 10–0 | ||||||
| 12 | 21 June 2016 | Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux,Bordeaux, France | 30 |  Spain | 1–1 | 2–1 | UEFA Euro 2016 |
| 13 | 6 October 2016 | Loro Boriçi Stadium,Shkodër, Albania | 33 |  Kosovo | 6–0 | 6–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 14 | 24 March 2017 | Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia | 35 |  Ukraine | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 15 | 9 November 2017 | Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia | 39 |  Greece | 2–0 | 4–1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Dnipro
Atlético Madrid
Hajduk Split
Croatia
Individual
Orders
Nìkola
Kàlinić
{{cite web}}:|archive-url= is malformed: timestamp (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)the Order of Prince Branimir with Ribbon was awarded to Mr. Nikola Kalinić...
Croatia squads | |||||||||||||||||||
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