Rijeka Signs Slovenian International
Igor Vekić has signed a two-year contract with the Whites and immediately joined the squad at Rujevica, with former national team coach Matjaž Kek playing a key role in attracting him to the club.
Igor Vekić has signed a two-year contract with the Whites and immediately joined the squad at Rujevica, with former national team coach Matjaž Kek playing a key role in attracting him to the club.
HNK Rijeka has officially unveiled their new addition between the posts. Slovenian international goalkeeper Igor Vekić is the latest member of the club from Rujevica, as announced on Tuesday, August 5, 2026. The experienced 28-year-old has signed a two-year contract, with an option to extend the partnership for an additional season.
Rijeka introduced their new guardian of the net in an original way. On social media, they posted a video in which Vekić talks to himself, alluding to the well-known stereotype that goalkeepers "aren't quite right in the head." The video quickly caught the attention of fans and became a hit in the comments section.
Particularly interesting is the connection between Vekić and Rijeka's current coach, Matjaž Kek. Namely, Vekić was part of the Slovenian national team precisely during the period when Kek served as the country's head coach. Vekić holds the status of second-choice goalkeeper for Slovenia, right behind first-choice Jan Oblak. Clearly, this acquaintance played a crucial role in his decision to continue his career at Rujevica.
Throughout his career so far, Vekić has played for Slovenia's Bravo, Portugal's Paços de Ferreira, and Denmark's Vejle. Last season, he made 28 appearances for the Danish club, but his team was relegated from the league, prompting him to seek a change of scenery. According to Telegram, he reportedly turned down interest from Spain to join Rijeka. The exact transfer fee paid by Rijeka has not been disclosed, but Transfermarkt estimates his value at €500,000.
With Vekić's arrival, competition between the posts has significantly increased. At the start of the season, Rijeka gave the opportunity to 22-year-old Aleksa Todorović, who made the most of it. In the first three matches, he conceded just one goal, particularly impressing with a brilliant save away to Derry City in European competition, sparing his team an early deficit. It remains to be seen whether Kek's acquaintance with Vekić will tip the scales and send young Todorović back to the bench.
The club has stated that they believe Vekić's international experience and competitive assurance will be a valuable asset in the challenges awaiting the Whites during the season. "Igor, welcome to Rijeka!" reads the official announcement on the club's website.
