Last Season He Played in the Third League, Now He Scored His First Goal in the SHNL
Noel Đurković (19) came on in the 92nd minute and scored his first goal in the SuperSport HNL just a minute later, sealing Lokomotiva's 3:1 victory over Gorica.
Noel Đurković (19) came on in the 92nd minute and scored his first goal in the SuperSport HNL just a minute later, sealing Lokomotiva's 3:1 victory over Gorica.
Young Lokomotiva striker Noel Đurković (19) lived every substitute's dream on Saturday afternoon. In the second round of the SuperSport HNL against Gorica, coach Nikica Jelavić sent him on in the 92nd minute, and just a minute later, the ball hit the back of the net for the visitors, making it 3:1.
It was Đurković's first goal in the top tier of Croatian football, a perfect way to open the new season and reward the trust of a club known for developing young talent.
The 19-year-old's story gains even more weight when you consider where he was last season. Đurković spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Kustošija, a club competing in the SuperSport Second NL, the third tier of Croatian football. There, he scored 11 goals in 28 appearances, establishing himself as one of the league's standout young players.
Instead of sitting on the bench without continuity, he got the chance for serious playing time and development through a concrete role in senior football. This path, which Lokomotiva has often used for its young players, is already yielding excellent results.
Đurković's success fits into the broader picture of the Zagreb club, which has been known for years for finding and developing young players. Lokomotiva opened the new season with two wins and six points, and alongside experienced players like Marko Pajač and Mirko Marić, a new name has once again stood out.
In this case, it's a 19-year-old striker who was playing in the third tier just a few months ago and is now scoring goals in the SuperSport HNL.
