Cibona Extends Contract with Severely Injured Palokaj
The club arranged surgery in Vienna with a specialist for Jan Palokaj, and sports director Marin Rozić emphasized that the player's loyalty earned him this move.
The club arranged surgery in Vienna with a specialist for Jan Palokaj, and sports director Marin Rozić emphasized that the player's loyalty earned him this move.
Basketball club Cibona announced on August 4, 2026, that it has extended its partnership with Jan Palokaj. The player, who suffered a severe injury in the fifth game of last season's finals series, has signed a new contract for at least one year, sending a strong message about the club's care for its people both on and off the court.
This decision was initiated by sports director Marin Rozić, who proposed Palokaj's stay to the management just one day after winning the Croatian championship title. "Everyone enthusiastically accepted and strongly supported that idea," Rozić confirmed for Večernji list.
Rozić elaborated on why Palokaj deserved a new contract, recalling the circumstances of his arrival at the club. "His relationship with Cibona is best illustrated by the fact that he personally paid a buyout to terminate his previous contract and join our club mid-season, accepting significantly more modest financial terms. That showed how much Cibona and Zagreb mean to him," the sports director emphasized.
In just six months with the club, Palokaj left a deep mark. The sports director particularly highlighted his rebound in the closing moments of the fifth final game, which sealed the victory and the championship title, as well as a series of crucial shots throughout the season.
Cibona ensured its player received the best possible medical care. The club arranged an examination and surgical procedure in Vienna with a renowned specialist for foot and ankle injuries, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hans-Jörg Trnka. "Cibona has again shown how much it cares for its people and players. We secured the best possible conditions for a quality and safe recovery," Rozić added.
According to the sports director, recovery is progressing well, and the condition of the leg improves daily. The club says they will patiently wait for Palokaj to be fully ready before he rejoins the team at full intensity.
The player himself does not hide how much the club's support means to him during this difficult time. "I am going through perhaps the most challenging period of my career. I have never been in a situation like this, and I truly must thank everyone at the club, from the medical staff to the management, who have provided me with all the necessary conditions for the best possible recovery," Palokaj said.
He is aware that he will not be able to help the team from the very start of the new season, but he believes in a successful start for the squad. "I am looking forward to the new season. Although I won't be able to help the team from the beginning, I believe we will start the season well, and I hope that my return will contribute to making the team even better," he concluded.
With this move, Cibona has confirmed its trust in a player it believes will again play an important role, but also demonstrated the character of a club that stands by its players even in the toughest moments of their careers. The news of the contract extension with Palokaj comes after the club had already announced the arrivals of American guards McGill and Battle, domestic reinforcements Badžim, Mazalin, Gnjidić, and Sikirić, as well as contract extensions with last season's first-team players Hepa, Serdarušić, Bart, Čakarun, and Katanović.
