Who is Mauro Zalazar?

Mauro Zalazar is a 21-year-old Spanish-Uruguayan midfielder who joined Kustošija from German club Schalke.

What other notable signings has Kustošija made this season?

In addition to Zalazar, the club has brought in experienced striker El Arbi Hillel Soudani, former Hajduk youth players Domagoj Begonja and Luka Jurak, striker David Žabec, and center-back Tino Kulenović.

How much was Rodrigo Zalazar paid in his recent transfer?

Rodrigo Zalazar, Mauro's brother, moved from Braga to Sporting in early July 2026 for €30 million.

Football

Kustošija on the Fast Track to HNL: Bara Brings in Midfielder from Schalke

Q: What role did Andy Bara play in this transfer?

The transfer was facilitated by Andy Bara and his agency Niagara Sports Company, which has a partnership with the player.

B.M. · Prije 1h | 2 min

With Andy Bara's mediation, the new member of the First NL has brought in 21-year-old Mauro Zalazar, and the team already looks impressive on paper.

Summary

Kustošija has brought in 21-year-old midfielder Mauro Zalazar from Schalke.
The transfer was facilitated by Andy Bara, with Schalke retaining a percentage of any future sale.
Mauro comes from a footballing family; his brother Rodrigo recently moved to Sporting for €30 million.
Kustošija has already signed Soudani, Begonja, Jurak, Žabec, and Kulenović this season, signaling an attack on the top.

Kustošija's ambitions for the new season are becoming increasingly clear. The new member of the First NL has officially brought in 21-year-old Spanish-Uruguayan midfielder Mauro Zalazar, who arrives in Zagreb from German club Schalke, as confirmed by Telegram.hr.

The young footballer failed to secure a significant role in the first team in Germany. He made only two appearances for Schalke, while spending most of his time with the second team, where he scored two goals in 19 appearances. He joins Kustošija on a free transfer, with the German club retaining a percentage of any future sale.

The deal was reached thanks to Andy Bara and his agency Niagara Sports Company, which has a partnership with Zalazar.

A Project for the Top of the Table

Kustošija is thus continuing to build a serious squad as part of Bara's project. The most high-profile name so far is the experienced El Arbi Hillel Soudani, the legendary Dinamo striker, who immediately took the captain's armband.

In addition to him, the club has also brought in former Hajduk youth players Domagoj Begonja and Luka Jurak, proven second-division striker David Žabec, and one of the league's best center-backs, Tino Kulenović. On paper, this looks like a team that could seriously challenge for the title and an immediate return to the HNL, or SHNL.

The Zalazar Football Dynasty

Mauro is the youngest of three sons of José Zalazar, a former Uruguayan international who played at the 1986 World Cup. That year, he particularly stood out in Mexico, where, playing for Universidad de Guadalajara, he finished the season as the league's top scorer with 41 goals.

This is a very footballing family. The oldest brother, Koki Zalazar, plays for Ceuta, while the most prominent is 26-year-old Rodrigo Zalazar, who moved from Braga to Sporting in early July 2026 for €30 million.