Kabadayi reveals: Dinamo player behind his move to Rijeka
Young attacker Yusuf Kabadayi has joined on loan from Augsburg, and his friend from Dinamo, Gabriel Vidović, convinced him that the HNL was the right choice.
Young attacker Yusuf Kabadayi has joined on loan from Augsburg, and his friend from Dinamo, Gabriel Vidović, convinced him that the HNL was the right choice.
Yusuf Kabadayi, the 22-year-old attacker officially presented as Rijeka's new signing on Monday, revealed an unexpected ally in his transfer. Part of the credit for his arrival goes to a player from their biggest rival, Gabriel Vidović of Dinamo. Kabadayi was born in Munich and joins Rijeka on loan from Augsburg until the end of the season, with an option to buy. The versatile forward can play on the wings or as a striker, and the Whites hope he can replicate the success stories of Franjo Ivanović and Marco Pašalić, who, after arriving from Germany, played prominent roles, secured good transfers, and earned call-ups to the Croatian national team.
At his unveiling, Kabadayi revealed that he consulted Vidović before making the move, as the two know each other from earlier. They played together in Bayern's youth setup for years—Kabadayi was with the Bavarian club from 2012 to 2024, while Vidović was there from 2016 to 2025, with Vidović being just two months older. "I have a friend who plays for Dinamo, Gabriel Vidović. I spoke with him before coming here, and he spoke very highly of the Croatian league," said Kabadayi. This statement adds extra weight to the transfer, showing that the SuperSport HNL is gaining a better reputation among young foreign talents, even when the advice comes from the ranks of the biggest rival. Their head-to-head clash, however, will have to wait—the scheduling of the Rijeka-Dinamo match depends on European competition placements and available dates.
Rijeka's new player doesn't hide his confidence and clearly described what fans can expect. "I love scoring goals and assisting, I love attacking and dribbling, and I'm quite fast... When I step onto the pitch, expect fireworks," Kabadayi said. Although he's only 22, he already has impressive experience gained at big clubs. "In every club, you can learn something from every coach and teammate. I think I've learned something from each one, and I'd say I have a lot of experience for my age," he added.
Kabadayi arrived from German side Augsburg on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy. His decision to choose Rijeka was no coincidence. "The meetings and talks with the sporting director and the coach were good, and that's one of the reasons I chose Rijeka. I think I can develop here, and I hope we'll have a successful season," he explained. His first impressions, he says, are excellent: "I really like it here. The city is beautiful, the atmosphere at the stadium is good, the club is great, and I can't wait to play." Interestingly, two decades have passed since another German signed for the Whites—Fredi Bobić arrived at Kantrida in late January 2006, won the Croatian Cup, and scored a crucial goal in the final against Varteks. Today, he is the sporting director of Legia Warsaw.
The young footballer isn't here for a holiday but with clear goals. He's aware of the club's ambitions from Kvarner and doesn't shy away from pressure. "It's always nice to win a trophy, to keep winning, and I think it's important for a club like Rijeka to win trophies. I believe we can be competitive, and I hope we'll qualify for the Conference League group stage and have a good season," Kabadayi concluded. Coach Matjaž Kek now has an extra option in attack, which is crucial since chances are being created but poorly converted. Their first challenge awaits in Finland against Ilves—Rijeka's 1-0 lead isn't a guarantee, and they'll also face cold weather in Tampere, with temperatures ranging from 9 to 20 degrees Celsius.
While Rijeka presents its new signing, their rival Dinamo Zagreb announced on Monday their departure to Vilnius, where a European match awaits. "✈️ mode on, heading ➡️ Vilnius," the Blues posted on social media alongside a photo of Luka Stanzl. Dinamo has also started online ticket sales for their home match in the 3rd round of the SuperSport HNL against Rudeš, scheduled for Friday, August 14, at 8 PM at Maksimir. Tickets are sold exclusively online via tickets.gnkdinamo.hr. The pre-sale for members runs from Monday at 11 AM until 11:59 PM, while general sales begin on Tuesday, August 11, at 11 AM. Ticket prices for the West lower stand are €15 for members and €20 for others, while the North lower stand is available exclusively to members at €7.
