HNK Hajduk Split is in the final stages of preparation for the autumn part of the season and is actively seeking reinforcements, with reports from the portal 24sata Sport indicating that one of the targets is experienced Belgian international Leander Dendoncker. The club would need to complete the transfer today, September 2, 2026, in order to register the player for the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Dendoncker is a 31-year-old footballer who can play both in defence and as a defensive midfielder. He has extensive experience in the English Premier League, having played for Wolverhampton and Aston Villa, and began his career at Anderlecht. Last season he played for Spanish side Real Oviedo. He has earned 32 caps for the Belgian national team, and at the peak of his career his market value was estimated at 31 million euros. He is currently a free agent.
Why is Dendoncker interesting for Hajduk?
Leander Dendoncker brings exactly what Hajduk currently needs: experience, flexibility, and physical presence. He can cover multiple positions in the defensive part of the team, which is valuable given the congested fixture list the club anticipates. His knowledge of English and Spanish football adds tactical maturity.
Hajduk is in 4th place in the HNL table with 10 points from five matches played, with a record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. Their form in the last five games is WWWDL. The gap to leaders NK Osijek is just two points, indicating a very tight title race. The team has scored 11 goals and conceded 5. You can follow all statistics on our stats page.
What is the transfer deadline?
The transfer window in Croatia lasts until September 7, giving the club a few more days to bring in new players. However, there is a stricter deadline for European competition registration. If Hajduk wants Dendoncker to be available for the Conference League, the contract must be signed and submitted to UEFA by today. This makes the move urgent.
The portal 24sata Sport reported that the club was "actively working on reinforcements," and their headline read: "DOZNAJEMO Bivši igrač Napolija i Aston Ville pojačava Hajduk?!" Although Napoli is mentioned in the headline, Dendoncker never played for that team, suggesting a possible error in the report.
How would he fit into the current squad?
The arrival of Dendoncker would offer the manager additional options in midfield and defence. Given his profile, he could provide competition for existing defensive midfielders or even help in central defence in case of injuries. His adaptation should not be problematic as there is no language barrier, and he is familiar with the pressures of big clubs.
Hajduk's next assignment is an away match against Rudes on September 6. Rudes is currently in 8th place in the table, and details of all upcoming matches can be found on our fixtures page. This match will be an opportunity to continue a good run before European challenges. The current squad and player availability can always be checked on the squad page.
Successfully securing Dendoncker today would represent a significant reinforcement for Hajduk across all competitions. The club is in a solid league position and has realistic ambitions for the title, and an experienced player like the Belgian could be a key factor in that fight.
