HNK Hajduk Split faces an urgent task to strengthen its midfield in just five days before a crucial UEFA deadline. The club qualified for the league phase of the UEFA Europa Conference League, securing European autumn football after a 16-year wait, but must now quickly prepare for a dual challenge. According to Index.hr Sport, the deadline to register players for the Conference League is Wednesday, September 2nd at 23:59.
The club currently sits 4th in the HNL with 7 points from four games, and will host NK Lokomotiva Zagreb at Poljud on Sunday. Hajduk have scored 9 goals, conceded 5, and trail leaders Dinamo Zagreb by just two points. This domestic fixture will be an important test before focus shifts to European challenges.
Why is Hajduk's midfield the biggest issue?
The departure of Rokas Pukštas to Middlesbrough for five million euros and the highly likely transfer of Niko Sigur have left a significant gap. There is strong interest in Sigur, with Belgian club Genk mentioned as the last serious option with compensation around four million euros. If both players leave, Hajduk will be left with only two central midfielders: Adrion Pajaziti and Alberto Del Moral. This makes strengthening the midfield the most important task for the club before the end of the transfer window, which in Croatia lasts until September 7th.
Sports director Robert Graf stated on August 19th that the club started a major reconstruction this summer without money for transfer fees. "The transfer budget is round zero, so at least I don't have money problems because I don't have any," Graf said. He is changing the entire wage structure and reducing salaries, has completed eight transfers so far, and would like to make four more. President Ivan Bilić confirmed that the club knew from the start of the transfer period that Pukštas and Sigur would find new clubs. "At the beginning of the transfer window we knew that Pukštas and Sigur would find a new home," Bilić said, adding that Hajduk has a plan for their replacements and that transfers will be made in the next week.
How do UEFA rules affect registration?
A positive circumstance is that UEFA rules allow the registration of players who have already played for another club in European qualification or play-off matches this season. Such a player can play for a new club from the league phase if properly registered, an option not available before the play-off. A player signed after September 2nd can play in the Croatian First Football League but not in the Conference League league phase. The next opportunity to register new players for Europe is ahead of a potential knockout phase at the start of spring, when three more can be registered. This means Hajduk has very little time to complete signings if they want new players available in Europe. The aim is to have a squad capable of competing on two fronts, domestic and European, by the end of the transfer window.
What does European qualification bring the club?
Qualifying for the Conference League brought Hajduk necessary money, European autumn football, and more room for reinforcements. It also accelerated decisions the club must make. Fans celebrated with a short welcome at Poljud, but attention now turns to the future. Success in the qualifiers has also created additional pressure for quick action in the market. Hajduk is also considering reinforcements on the wing and another offensive player, but midfield is the absolute priority.
The club is now in a race against time. Successful transfers in the next five days will be key for competitiveness in the HNL, where they are currently in a very tight title race, and in European competitions. Fans can follow updated squad information on our squad page and check the schedule on the fixtures page. The next few days will be decisive in shaping the team that will wear the white shirt in the autumn phase of the season.
