Who is Jakov Pranjić?

Jakov Pranjić is a 25-year-old Croatian midfielder from Bjelovar, who arrived in the HNL on loan from Celje after playing for Jarun and Zrinjski.

Why did Gorica bring in Pranjić?

Coach Mario Carević publicly requested reinforcements in the midfield after the defeat to Lokomotiva, and Pranjić's player profile fits the club's needs created by the departures of Pršir and Pozov.

What role did Jerko Leko play in Jakov Pranjić's career?

Jerko Leko was Pranjić's coach at Jarun, where he made him a key player and the main playmaker in the midfield, which helped Pranjić stand out and draw attention to himself.

Football

Carević Gets His Desired Reinforcement: Gorica Signs Midfielder

A.R. · Prije 15h | 2 min

After the defeat to Lokomotiva and coach Mario Carević's public appeal, Gorica responded by bringing in Jakov Pranjić, a 25-year-old from Bjelovar, on loan from Celje.

Summary

Gorica has brought in midfielder Jakov Pranjić on a one-year loan from Celje.
Pranjić (25) played for Jarun under Jerko Leko, and then for Zrinjski and Celje.
Coach Mario Carević publicly requested a midfield reinforcement after the defeat to Lokomotiva.
Pranjić's arrival addresses the gap left by the departures of Jurica Pršir and Pozov.

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A few days after coach Mario Carević publicly highlighted the need for reinforcements in the midfield, Gorica made a concrete move. Jakov Pranjić, a 25-year-old midfielder from Bjelovar, has joined the Turopolje club on a one-year loan from Celje, marking his first appearances in the Croatian top flight.

Pranjić is known to the domestic audience for his performances in the Jarun jersey, where he played from 2023 to 2025 and caught the eye. He particularly stood out under former Croatian international Jerko Leko, who made him his key playmaker on the pitch. His qualities were already evident then: strength on the ball, composure in play, creative abilities, and coolness in front of the opponent's goal.

The Path to the HNL Led Through Mostar and Celje

Pranjić's route to the Croatian first league was not straightforward. In the winter of 2025, he signed for Zrinjski Mostar, where under coach Igor Štimac he quickly earned a spot in the first team and got the chance to play European football in the Conference League. Just a year later, he moved to Celje, with whom he won the Slovenian championship title.

Interestingly, even before his move abroad, Gorica's then-coach Rajko Vidović, after a friendly match against Jarun, had very kind words for Pranjić. However, he will now be welcomed at the club by Vidović's successor, Mario Carević.

The Profile of a Player Carević Desperately Needs

The club hopes that Pranjić won't resemble Jurica Pršir only in his light hair. He is a similar profile of player, one that Carević has desperately needed since Pršir left for Polish club Wisła Płock and Pozov moved to Moscow's Rodina. After Saturday's defeat to Lokomotiva (1:3), Carević clearly stated that he needs reinforcements in the midfield for a satisfactory season, and the club quickly heeded his call.