Kustošija Brings in Midfielder from Schalke

NK Kustošija announced on August 4, 2026, the arrival of a new addition to their squad. It is Mauro Zalazar, a 21-year-old Spanish-Uruguayan midfielder coming from Germany's Schalke.

The transfer was facilitated by the agency Niagara Sports Company, owned by renowned football agent Andy Bara, which represents the young player. Interestingly, Zalazar joins the Croatian second-tier club without a transfer fee, but Schalke has retained a percentage of his future sale in the contract.

Limited Playing Time at Schalke

Although he spent the past two years at the prestigious German club, Zalazar failed to secure significant playing time in the first team. He made only two appearances for Schalke's senior squad. He got slightly more opportunities in the second team, where he scored two goals in 19 matches.

Football in His Blood

Mauro Zalazar comes from a prominent football family. His father, Jose Luis Zalazar, is a former Uruguayan international who left a deep mark in Spain's La Liga, amassing over 250 appearances for clubs like Cadiz, Espanyol, Albacete, and Racing.

Mauro's brother, Rodrigo Zalazar, has also followed the football path and currently plays for Sporting in Portugal. According to the specialized portal Transfermarkt, his market value is as high as 30 million euros, which speaks volumes about the potential that his younger brother also carries.