Dinamo Had Him Signed, Basel Paid €3 Million
Marin Šotiček returned to the SHNL after two seasons in Switzerland and immediately showed why Hajduk insisted on bringing him in.
Marin Šotiček returned to the SHNL after two seasons in Switzerland and immediately showed why Hajduk insisted on bringing him in.
In the first match of the third qualifying round of the Conference League, Hajduk dismantled Žalgiris 5:2 in Vilnius, with the new face in the Split squad among the most deserving of the convincing victory. Marin Šotiček, a 21-year-old winger, didn't get on the scoresheet, but his constant runs tore apart the Lithuanian defense, and he assisted Adrion Pajaziti for the goal that early in the second half extended the lead to 3:1.
How impressive his performance was is reflected in the Index readers' vote. He and Rokas Pukštas shared the highest average rating of 4.2 among all Split players. It was only Šotiček's second appearance in a Hajduk shirt, following his debut a few days earlier in the league loss at Varaždin.
The Split club signed him on July 29 on a one-year loan from Basel, with an embedded purchase option. The exact amount for which they can keep him has not been publicly disclosed. Since Šotiček is tied to the Swiss club until the summer of 2028, Hajduk will either have to activate that clause or reach a new agreement with Basel if they want to secure him permanently.
Born on September 18, 2004, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, he took his first football steps at NK Zrinski from Ozalj. He made his senior debut for Lokomotiva in July 2022, still a 17-year-old. During the spring of the 2022/23 season, he also played on dual registration for Jarun, where he scored two goals in five appearances in the second tier.
The 2023/24 season was his breakthrough. In the SHNL, he played 30 matches, 26 of them from the start, and found the net nine times. His speed, directness, and ability to play on both wings caught the attention of Croatia's biggest clubs. Dinamo came closest to signing him.
According to Index's information at the time, the Zagreb club had everything agreed with Lokomotiva. The transfer fee was set at approximately €1.5 million, plus additional bonuses and a percentage of a future sale. The stumbling block wasn't the club agreement but the personal terms for the player. Dinamo offered a four-year contract with a starting salary of €10,000 per month. The salary would increase with appearances: to €12,500 after five, €15,000 after 15, €17,500 after 25, and €20,000 after 35 matches played.
Generous bonuses were also planned. Just for qualifying for the Europa League, Šotiček would receive €75,000, while reaching the Champions League would bring him €160,000. Additional bonuses were tied to goals and team trophies. However, the player and his representatives rejected the offer.
The saga culminated in a public spat. Šotiček's father stated that his son interpreted the offered €10,000 as
"disrespect and humiliation"and that the contract would have been signed had the starting figure been €20,000. Dinamo responded with a threat of legal action, insisting that the disclosed details about the offer were inaccurate and that they had written evidence to support their version of events.
On July 18, 2024, Šotiček put pen to paper on a four-year contract with Basel. The Swiss club paid Lokomotiva €3 million, double the base fee Dinamo had previously agreed upon. His first season there looked impressive on paper: Basel won both the league and the cup, and he made 32 appearances across all competitions, scoring six goals and providing four assists.
He will particularly remember the Cup final against Biel-Bienne. He came on in the 76th minute, and just two minutes later scored for 3:1 in the eventual 4:1 victory. However, the statistics reveal another side: he started most matches on the bench. In the league, he played 28 games, but only a minority of those were from the starting lineup.
The second season brought regression. He made 38 appearances but with only one goal and three assists. He spent a total of 1,315 minutes on the pitch, averaging less than 35 per match. His decline in playing time coincided with a poorer club season-Basel finished only fifth in the league after their double crown.
This summer, a transfer back home became a realistic option. Rijeka showed serious interest, and offers from Poland were also mentioned, but ultimately Hajduk came out on top. The need for a winger existed earlier and became pressing after Rok Brajković's severe injury.
In two Swiss years, Šotiček totaled 70 appearances, seven goals, and seven assists. The number of 70 matches seems impressive but masks limited playing time. He never established himself as an indispensable starter, and the second season clearly signaled that he needed continuity for further development, which he wasn't getting in Basel.
That's exactly what Hajduk sees as an opportunity. At 21, he already has a full excellent season in the SHNL, two years in Switzerland, a double crown, and experience with the Croatian U-21 national team. Due to his bench role, he became available on loan, without the Split club needing to shell out a multi-million sum immediately.
The performance in Vilnius was just a hint of what Hajduk can expect. Šotiček is not a typical winger who waits for the ball on the touchline. He constantly seeks space behind the defense, attacks opponents with pace, and tries to create overloads early. That's exactly the profile the team lacked after Brajković's injury. In his new environment, he should get what he needs most: significant playing time and a prominent role in the team led by coach Garcia.
