HNK Hajduk Split officially registered new striker Carlos Martín on loan from Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, September 2, 2026. The Spaniard arrived at Poljud after his planned move to Almería collapsed due to missing paperwork before La Liga's registration deadline.
How did the transfer happen?
Hajduk's interest in Carlos Martín is not new, but the club seized the opportunity at the last minute. According to a report by 24sata Sport, Martín was supposed to go on loan to Almería, but that deal fell through because the club failed to submit the required documents on time. This opened the door for Hajduk, who moved quickly to arrange a season-long loan. Spanish and English clubs could no longer register loan players as their deadlines had already passed.
Martín was registered in the Croatian Football Association system alongside Leander Dendoncker, officially confirming his arrival. "Hajduk završio još jedan veliki posao! Martín iz Atlético Madrida stigao na Poljud," the player himself said according to Nogomet+.
Who is Carlos Martín?
Carlos Martín (24) is a product of Atlético Madrid's youth academy, which he joined back in 2008. He made his first-team debut for the 'Mattress Makers' in November 2021 against Osasuna, playing a total of nine matches under Diego Simeone without scoring. His best senior season was 2023/24 on loan at Mirandés, where he scored 15 goals in 40 appearances.
Last season he made 27 La Liga appearances and scored two goals for Alavés, and also had a loan spell at Rayo Vallecano. Interestingly, he started this season for Atlético in the first match against that same Rayo Vallecano. However, with the arrival of new forwards like Julián Álvarez, Alexander Sørloth, and Jonathan David, his opportunities in Madrid were limited. His contract with Atlético runs until the summer of 2029.
Where does he fit into the current squad?
The arrival of Carlos Martín is a direct response to Hajduk's need to strengthen their attack. The club currently sits fourth in the HNL with 10 points from five games, three wins, one draw, and one loss. Their recent form over the last five matches is WWWDL. Hajduk has scored 11 goals and conceded five, with a +6 goal difference. They are just two points behind leaders NK Osijek, showing the title race is very tight.
Martín will compete for a place in the attack with existing players, and his aggression and finishing ability should add a new dimension to Hajduk's offense. The manager will now have more options for rotation, especially considering the busy schedule. You can find details on all players on our squad page.
What is the HNL context?
Hajduk is entering a crucial part of the season with a clear goal – to close the gap at the top. The next challenge is an away match against Rudes on Saturday, September 6. Rudes is currently in eighth place in the table, making Hajduk the favorite on paper. However, every away game in the HNL presents a challenge.
Three points in Zagreb would be a great boost for the team before the international break. You can follow the entire schedule until the end of the season on our fixtures calendar. Hajduk, with 11 goals scored, is one of the most productive teams in the league, and the addition of Carlos Martín should help maintain that statistic. You can always check the current table position on the standings page.
Carlos Martín could make his debut for the Whites as early as against Rudes, if he integrates into the manager's tactical plans quickly enough. His loan deal runs until the end of the 2026/27 season.
