Filip Ozobić, a 35-year-old midfielder with Champions League experience and four Azerbaijani league titles, has returned to his boyhood club as they embark on their 1. NL campaign this season.
After completing summer preparations, Filip Ozobić signed a two-year contract with Mladost from Ždralovi. The news was announced on August 19, 2026, marking a major coup for the new Croatian second-tier side, which kicks off its 1. NL season on Friday, August 21, at 5:30 PM, hosting HNK Vukovar at their "Brdo" stadium.
The Bjelovar native, who took his first footballing steps at Mladost, is expected to be a huge asset to coach Dino Skender and his teammates. Despite being 35, he is anticipated to effectively "operate" in midfield, and there is no doubt about his professionalism, the club highlights.
After leaving Mladost, Ozobić went through the youth system at Dinamo Zagreb, then moved via Zadar to Spartak Moscow. With the Russian club, he featured in the Champions League, reaching a career peak in December 2010 when he played against Slovakia's Žilina. Even then, he was regarded as one of the most talented Croatian footballers of his generation.
In early 2012, he returned to Croatia on loan to Hajduk Split, with whom he lifted the Croatian Cup, before signing for Slaven Belupo from Koprivnica. In the heart of Podravina, he spent three seasons, making 71 appearances and scoring nine goals.
The true flourishing of his career came in Azerbaijan. First, he played for Gabala, where in the 2016/2017 season he scored 11 goals and became the league's top scorer. He then moved to Qarabag, one of Azerbaijan's most successful clubs, with whom he won four league titles and one national cup in five years. On Azerbaijani soil, he also played for Neftchi and Turan Tovuz.
Regarding his international career, Ozobić progressed through nearly all Croatian youth selections and made two appearances for the senior team. This occurred in 2017 in China during a friendly tournament. After several years playing in Azerbaijan, he became eligible to represent their national team, for which he scored one goal in 15 matches.
This transfer clearly demonstrates the ambitions of Mladost from Ždralovi, a club entering the new 1. NL season with the highest possible goals. Fans are urged to fill the red stands to the brim on Friday and provide thunderous support for Filip and his teammates, reports Klikni.hr.
