Vidović Sends Farewell Message to Dinamo
Croatian forward Gabriel Vidović has become the most expensive transfer in Paderborn's history, bidding an emotional farewell to Dinamo on Instagram.
Croatian forward Gabriel Vidović has become the most expensive transfer in Paderborn's history, bidding an emotional farewell to Dinamo on Instagram.
Gabriel Vidović has officially left Dinamo. The Croatian footballer continues his career at German club Paderborn, which returns to the Bundesliga this season, with the transfer confirmed on August 18, 2026. According to German outlet Sky, as reported by Sportklub, Paderborn will pay around three million euros for the forward, making Vidović the most expensive acquisition in the club's history.
Dinamo brought Vidović from Bayern last summer for 1.2 million euros, but the Bavarians retained 25 percent of the next transfer. In the case of a three-million-euro fee, Bayern would receive approximately 750,000 euros, while Dinamo would keep around 2.25 million euros. Telegram.hr reports that the Blues bought the player with an agreed percentage from the next sale.
Vidović first arrived at Dinamo in 2023 on loan, scoring nine goals and providing four assists in 40 appearances, while winning a domestic double. After returning to Bayern, he went on loan again to Mainz, and last summer Dinamo bought him permanently, assigning him the number 10 shirt. The second period was more turbulent: although he played 27 matches last season, scoring seven goals and providing four assists according to Sportklub, he lost his place in the starting eleven during the autumn but regained form in the spring. Dnevno.hr, meanwhile, reports that he recorded five assists in the SuperSport HNL, along with 27 appearances and seven goals. He also featured seven times in the Europa League, registering one assist, and five times in the Croatian Cup.
He started the season as a first-team regular, playing in both matches against Thun in the Champions League qualifiers. However, he has not received significant playing time this season, accumulating 202 minutes in four appearances, with competition increasing due to the arrivals of Mislav Oršić and Noah Nsoki, as well as the retention of Arbër Hoxha.
On Instagram, Vidović sent an emotional farewell message. "Dear Dinamo family, today I say goodbye to a club that meant much more to me than just football. Dinamo Zagreb will always hold a special place in my heart. Wearing this badge was a great honor and privilege," he wrote.
"I believe this whole story could have ended differently and better. Regardless of all circumstances, decisions, and differing opinions, I always gave my maximum and tried to represent this club and the badge I wore in the best way. I leave Dinamo with my head held high, proud of 79 appearances, 25 goals and assists, and everything I gave for this club."
He concluded the message with the words: "Thank you, Dinamo, for everything. I wish you much success in the future, and I believe we will meet again one day."
SC Paderborn officially presented Vidović on the same day, and the Croatian forward will wear the number 40 shirt at his new club. Sporting director Sebastian Lange did not hide his satisfaction: "We are very happy that Gabriel has decided to join our SCP07. His sporting career so far speaks for itself."
Lange also highlighted Vidović's qualities: "He can play in multiple positions, is technically excellent, and his strengths include dribbling and finishing. In recent years, he has also gained experience at the international level and will enrich our attack."
Paderborn returns to the Bundesliga after six years of absence. They finished third in the 2. Bundesliga last season and secured promotion via the playoff against Wolfsburg, winning 2-1 at home after extra time following a 0-0 draw in the first leg. This will be only the third time Paderborn has played in the Bundesliga in their history, with 39-year-old Ralf Kettemann as head coach. Paderborn begins the new Bundesliga season on August 29 with an away match against Mainz, Vidović's former club, followed by a home game against Freiburg and an away trip to Borussia Dortmund.
Vidović was born in Augsburg and trained in Germany. After starting at Augsburg, he moved to Bayern's academy in 2016. In the Bavarian club's second team, he particularly stood out in the 2021/22 season, scoring 21 goals and providing 10 assists in 30 regional league matches. In April 2022, he made his Bundesliga debut. He later had loan spells at Vitesse, Dinamo, and Mainz, before signing permanently for the Zagreb club in the summer of 2025.
He played for Croatian youth national teams from U-17 to U-21, earning 21 caps and scoring two goals for the U-21 side. According to Transfermarkt, his current market value is three million euros.
