The former Dinamo and Wolfsburg midfielder has put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Athens club, with media reports differing on the exact transfer fee.
On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 28-year-old Croatian attacking midfielder Lovro Majer was officially unveiled as AEK Athens' new signing. After leaving German side Wolfsburg, he has signed a contract that will keep him in the Greek capital until the summer of 2030, as confirmed by the club to Index.hr.
Although AEK has not disclosed the official transfer value, insiders have already shared their estimates, which differ slightly. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, who specializes in transfers, reported that the deal is worth €6 million, as reported by Index.hr. On the other hand, Telegram.hr, citing the same Romano and Italy's Gazzetta, mentions a slightly higher figure of €6.5 million. Whatever the exact amount, Greek media highlight that Majer, when all bonuses are included, will become the most expensive signing in AEK's history. The previous record holder was Mexican Orbelín Pineda, for whom AEK paid Celta de Vigo €6.5 million.
As for the player's wages, Sky Germany insider Florian Plettenberg announced that Majer will earn €2 million net per year in Athens, and according to the same source, he will be among the best-paid players in the squad.
Born on January 17, 1998, in Zagreb, Majer began his professional career in 2016 at Lokomotiva, from where he moved to Dinamo in 2018. With the Blues, he won Croatian league titles in 2019 and 2020, as well as a domestic double in 2021, after which his first international transfer followed. In the summer of 2021, he was sold to French club Rennes, and sources again differ: Index.hr cites €13 million, while Telegram.hr reports €12 million. For Rennes, he scored 9 goals and provided 16 assists in 79 appearances.
Two years later, in 2023, Wolfsburg brought him in for around €25 million. At that club, he played 75 matches with 10 goals and 11 assists before deciding on a new challenge in Greece.
Majer has been part of the Croatian national team since 2019 and has so far earned 38 caps and scored 9 goals. He particularly stood out at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he scored in the 4-1 win over Canada and also converted a penalty in the dramatic shootout against Brazil. However, he was not part of the squad for this year's World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. His last international goal came in March 2026 in a 1-3 loss to Brazil.
According to FIFA's solidarity mechanism, a portion of the transfer fee will go to the Croatian clubs where Majer developed. Telegram.hr provides specific amounts: Dinamo will receive around €105,000, Lokomotiva €150,000, Dubrava €30,000, and Trnje €15,000.
In Athens, Majer will also have a familiar face in the dressing room, former Croatian international Domagoj Vida. The gifted midfielder now seeks important minutes to impress new head coach Slaven Bilić and return to international form, concludes Telegram.hr.
