Marko Pjaca
Full nameMarko Pjaca[1]
Birth date6 May 1995 (age 31)[1]
Birth placeZagreb, Croatia
Height1.86 m[1]
PositionWinger
CurrentclubTwente
Clubnumber7
Youthyears 12004–2009
Youthclubs 1Dinamo Zagreb
Youthyears 22009–2010
Youthclubs 2ZET
Youthyears 32010–2012
Youthclubs 3Lokomotiva Zagreb
Years 12012–2014
Clubs 1Lokomotiva Zagreb
Caps 149
Goals 19
Years 22014–2016
Clubs 2Dinamo Zagreb
Caps 261
Goals 219
Years 32016–2023
Clubs 3Juventus
Caps 314
Goals 30
Years 42018
Clubs 4→ Schalke 04 (loan)
Caps 47
Goals 42
Years 52018–2019
Clubs 5→ Fiorentina (loan)
Caps 519
Goals 51
Years 62020
Clubs 6→ Anderlecht (loan)
Caps 64
Goals 61
Years 72020–2021
Clubs 7→ Genoa (loan)
Caps 735
Goals 73
Years 82021–2022
Clubs 8→ Torino (loan)
Caps 824
Goals 83
Years 92022–2023
Clubs 9→ Empoli (loan)
Caps 917
Goals 90
Years 102023–2024
Clubs 10Rijeka
Caps 1027
Goals 107
Years 112024–2025
Clubs 11Dinamo Zagreb
Caps 1134
Goals 116
Years 122025–
Clubs 12Twente
Caps 1227
Goals 122
Nationalyears 12011
Nationalteam 1Croatia U17
Nationalcaps 18
Nationalgoals 11
Nationalyears 22012
Nationalteam 2Croatia U18
Nationalcaps 24
Nationalgoals 20
Nationalyears 32012
Nationalteam 3Croatia U19
Nationalcaps 31
Nationalgoals 30
Nationalyears 42013–2015
Nationalteam 4Croatia U20
Nationalcaps 45
Nationalgoals 40
Nationalyears 52013–2017
Nationalteam 5Croatia U21
Nationalcaps 57

Marko Pjaca (mâːrko pjâtsa;[2][3] born 6 May 1995) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a left winger for the Eredivisie club Twente and the Croatia national team.

Pjaca began his professional club career in Croatia with Lokomotiva Zagreb in 2012, before moving to Dinamo Zagreb in 2014. After winning consecutive domestic doubles with Dinamo, he joined Juventus in 2016, where he also won a domestic double in his first season. However, after injuries hindered his development, Pjaca was sent out on a string of loans to six clubs, to Schalke 04, Fiorentina, Anderlecht, Genoa, Torino and Empoli.

At international level, Pjaca represented Croatia at UEFA Euro 2016 and at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, reaching the final of the latter tournament and making an appearance in it.

Early life

Pjaca grew up in Borovje.[4] His father Željko, who moved to Zagreb from Herzegovina at a young age, was a wrestler and his mother Višnja was a judoka.[5][6] In an interview for Zagorski list, Pjaca stated that his maternal grandmother is from Orehovec Radobojski in Zagorje.[7] He has two elder sisters: Martina and Iva.[8] As a child, he trained in handball, basketball and table tennis.[9]

Club career

Lokomotiva

Pjaca began his professional career with Croatian side Lokomotiva Zagreb. He made his debut in the 2011–12 Croatian First Football League on 24 February 2012 in a 3–0 victory over Zadar, in which he managed an assist.[10] It was his only appearance that season. The following season, Pjaca was much more prominent in the first team, particularly after the winter break. He ended the 2012–13 Prva HNL season with 2 goals in 17 appearances.[10] However, it was his performances in the 2013–14 Prva HNL season which largely caught the eye of bigger clubs, with the winger scoring 7 times in 31 appearances.[10]

Dinamo Zagreb

In summer 2014, Pjaca was signed by reigning Croatian First Football League champions Dinamo Zagreb for a transfer fee believed to be in the region of €1 million.[11] He made his Dinamo debut in the opening match of the 2014–15 season, when he scored against Slaven Belupo.[12] On 11 December 2014, he scored a hat-trick as Dinamo defeated Celtic 4–3 in the last match of the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League group stage.[13] Pjaca finished the season with 14 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions, as Dinamo won the league title for the tenth-straight season.[14] Pjaca also played the full match as Dinamo beat RNK Split in the 2015 Croatian Football Cup Final on penalties. On 20 July 2016, Pjaca himself confirmed that the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie against Macedonian club Vardar would be his last for Dinamo. He scored two goals, assisted for the third and received a standing ovation from the fans in his farewell match at the Stadion Maksimir.

Juventus

On 21 July 2016, it was announced Pjaca signed a five-year contract with Juventus for a €23 million transfer fee to Dinamo.[15] With the transfer, Pjaca became the most expensive ever sale by Dinamo and the Croatian First Football League.[16]

Pjaca made his Juventus and Serie A debut on 27 August, coming on as a substitute for Paulo Dybala in the second half of a 1–0 away win over Lazio.[17] In October 2016, Pjaca suffered a cracked fibula while on international duty with Croatia, and was initially expected to miss around six weeks of the season. After being sidelined through injury for almost three months, in January 2017, he returned to action with two half-hour-long substitute appearances against Atalanta in the Coppa Italia and Fiorentina in Serie A.[18][19] He scored his first goal for Juventus in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie against Porto, a 2–0 away win.[20] Pjaca suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on 28 March while on international duty with Croatia, sidelining him for six months.[21]

Loan to Schalke 04

After returning from a long term ACL injury, on 4 January 2018, it was announced that Pjaca had joined German club Schalke 04 on loan without an option to buy until the end of the 2017–18 season, for €800,000, plus an additional €200,000 in possible bonuses.[22][23][24][25] At the moment German giants were chasing a place that takes them to the UEFA Champions League and coach Tedesco saw Marko as a player who can help them achieve their goals. On the other hand, in Schalke Marko could get his playing time to get back in his best form before the FIFA World Cup at the end of the season. Pjaca made his official club debut on 13 January, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3–1 away defeat to RB Leipzig.[26] In his second appearance for the club, and his first start, on 21 January, he scored his first goal in a 1–1 home draw against Hannover 96.[27]

Loan to Fiorentina

On 7 August 2018, Pjaca joined Fiorentina on a season-long loan deal with the option to make the transfer permanent for an undisclosed fee.[28]

Loan to Anderlecht

On 31 January 2020, during the winter transfer deadline day, Belgian club Anderlecht signed Pjaca on loan until the end of the season.[29]

Loan to Genoa

On 19 September 2020, Pjaca moved on a season-long loan to Genoa.[30] On his debut, on 20 September, Pjaca scored a goal in a 4–1 win against Crotone.[31]

Loan to Torino

On 28 July 2021, Pjaca joined Torino on loan with an option to buy.[32]

Loan to Empoli

On 1 September 2022, Pjaca moved on loan to Empoli, with an option to buy.[33]

Rijeka

On 1 September 2023, Pjaca signed a three-year contract with Rijeka.[34]

Return to Dinamo Zagreb

On July 3rd 2024, Pjaca signed for Dinamo Zagreb with a 1.5m euro transfer fee.[citation needed]

International career

Pjaca made his senior international debut for Croatia on 4 September 2014, replacing Mateo Kovačić for the last 12 minutes of a 2–0 friendly win over Cyprus at the Stadion Aldo Drosina in Pula.[35] On 3 September 2015, he made his competitive debut for the national team in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Azerbaijan, starting and playing the entire fixture, which ended in a 0–0 draw.[36] On 4 June 2016, he scored his first international goal for Croatia in a 10–0 win over San Marino.[37]

Euro 2016

Pjaca was included in Croatia's Euro 2016 squad.[38] He played a major role in Croatia's impressive 2–1 victory against Spain, the reigning European champions, at Bordeaux's Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux. During that match, he completed an impressive seven of his eight attempted take-ons, took one shot, created one clear scoring opportunity and won one tackle.[39][40] Pjaca took a seat on the substitutes' bench for the clash with Portugal in the next round, only to be brought on late in extra time with just ten minutes of the additional 30 remaining. Being introduced as a substitute, he brought some much-needed attacking impetus to the side, completing three dribbles against a previously impenetrable Portugal defence.[39] Croatia eventually lost to Portugal 1–0 after Portugal's Ricardo Quaresma scored a 117th-minute winner to eliminate Croatia.[41]

2018 World Cup

On 4 June 2018, Pjaca was named to Croatia's final 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[42] Croatia reached the final of the tournament, where they were defeated 4–2 by France on 15 July.[43]

Later career

He played against Spain in a 3–2 win in the UEFA Nations League, but then went five years without a cap. He was finally called up for Euro 2024 qualifying matches in November 2023,[44] but did not play. He finally made his on-field return in a 4–2 friendly win over Egypt on 28 March 2024.

Style of play

Pjaca is a winger who is capable of playing on either flank, although his preferred position is on the left, where he likes to cut inside from wide positions and either shoot on goal or create chances with his stronger right foot; he has also been deployed as an attacking midfielder or as a second striker on occasion. A dynamic, agile and technically gifted player, Pjaca is known for his direct and offensive style of play. Due to his physique, speed, dribbling skills and ability to change direction quickly, he often takes on players in one-on-one situations, and is also known for his ability to make intelligent attacking runs behind the opponents' defensive line.[45]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup[a]EuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Lokomotiva Zagreb2011–12Prva HNL1000––10
2012–13Prva HNL17262––234
2013–14Prva HNL307002[b]0–327
Total4896220–5611
Dinamo Zagreb2014–15Prva HNL3211708[c]31[d]04814
2015–16Prva HNL2883112[e]3–4312
2016–17Prva HNL10—1[e]2–22
Total6119101218109328
Juventus2016–17Serie A140204[e]100201
2017–18Serie A0000000000
2019–20Serie A0010000010
Total140304100211
Schalke 04 (loan)2017–18Bundesliga7220––92
Fiorentina (loan)2018–19Serie A19100––191
Anderlecht (loan)2019–20Belgian Pro League4100––41
Genoa (loan)2020–21Serie A35330––383
Torino (loan)2021–22Serie A24320––263
Empoli (loan)2022–23Serie A17000––170
Rijeka2023–24HNL27740––317
Dinamo Zagreb2024–25HNL346208[e]3–449
Twente2025–26Eredivisie27220——292
Career total3175334335101038768
  1. ^ Includes Croatian Football Cup, Copa Italia, DFB-Pokal
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances and three goals in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Appearance in Croatian Super Cup
  5. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League

International

[46]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Croatia201410
201550
201661
201710
2018110
202440
Total281
Scores and results list Croatia's goal tally first.
List of international goals scored by Marko Pjaca
No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
14 June 2016Stadion Rujevica, Rijeka, Croatia8SMR1–010–0Friendly

Honours

Dinamo Zagreb[14]

Juventus[14]

Croatia

Individual

Orders

References

  1. ^ "FIFA World Cup Russia 2018: List of Players: Croatia". FIFA. 15 July 2018. p. 7. Archived 11 June 2019 at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ^ "Mȃrko" (in sh). Hrvatski jezični portal. Retrieved 17 March 2018. Mȃrko
  3. ^ "pìjaca" (in sh). Hrvatski jezični portal. Retrieved 17 March 2018. Pjȁca
  4. ^ "Marko Pjaca: Vjera mi je važna, vjerujem da Bog ima neki veći plan za mene" (in Croatian). www.index.hr. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  5. ^ "Marko Pjaca: Vjera mi je važna, vjerujem da Bog ima neki veći plan za mene" (in Croatian). www.index.hr. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  6. ^ "Pjaca faca: Tata hrvački prvak, a mama Višnja prva u džudu..." (in Croatian). www.24sata.hr. 2014-12-13. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  7. ^ "Zagorski list 638". Issuu. 2016-04-07. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  8. ^ Bevanda, Antonio (13 December 2014). "Pjaca faca: Tata hrvački prvak, a mama Višnja prva u džudu..." (in Croatian). 24sata.hr. 24sata. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  9. ^ Junaci, Robert (4 August 2015). "Uvede li Dinamo u Ligu prvaka, vrijedit će mnogo više od 12 milijuna koliko nudi Milan!" [If he leads Dinamo to the Champions League, he will be worth much more than 12 million which Milan offers!] (in Croatian). vecernji.hr. Večernji list. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  10. ^ "Marko Pjaca's Profile". Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  11. ^ "Hrvatski mercato: Velik promet, mala zarada". www.index.hr
  12. ^ "Video: Dinamo rutinskom pobjedom protiv Slaven Belupa otvorio novu sezonu". Sportnet. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  13. ^ "Dinamo Zagreb 4-3 Celtic". BBC Sport. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  14. ^ "M. Pjaca". Soccerway. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  15. ^ "Official: Juventus sign Pjaca". Football Italia. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  16. ^ Korać, Branimir. "Potvrđeno je: Marko Pjaca novi je igrač Juventusa" (in Croatian). HRSport. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  17. ^ "Lazio-Juventus 0-1, il tabellino: sblocca Khedira" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
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  24. ^ "Official: Schalke loan Pjaca". Football Italia. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  25. ^ "Juventus, ufficiale: Pjaca in prestito allo Schalke 04 fino a giugno" (in Italian). www.corrieredellosport.it. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  26. ^ "Bundesliga, Lipsia-Schalke 3-1: esordio ufficiale per Pjaca" (in Italian). Il Corriere dello Sport. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  27. ^ Elmar Bergonzini (21 January 2018). "Bundesliga, Pjaca non basta allo Schalke: con l'Hannover è 1-1" (in Italian). www.foxsports.it. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  28. ^ "La Fiorentina acquista Pajaca" (in Italian). ACF Fiorentina. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  29. ^ juvefcdotcom (2020-01-31). "OFFICIAL: Marko Pjaca to Anderlecht on loan". Juvefc.com. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  30. ^ Juventus.com. "Marko Pjaca sent on loan to Genoa - Juventus". Juventus.com. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
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  33. ^ "Marko Pjaca è un nuovo calciatore azzurro" (in Italian). Empoli. 1 September 2022. Archived from the original on 2 September 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  34. ^ "Marko Pjaca novi igrač Rijeke: "Rijeka je u ovom trenutku najbolji izbor za mene"" [Marko Pjaca, new Rijeka player: "Rijeka is the best choice for me at the moment"] (in Croatian). Rijeka. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
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  40. ^ Sanghera, Mandeep (21 June 2016). "Croatia 2-1 Spain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  41. ^ Dunbar, Graham (25 June 2016). "Portugal beats Croatia 1–0 at European Championship". The Washington Times. Associated Press. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  42. ^ "Izbornik Dalić potvrdio konačan popis putnika za SP" (in Croatian). Croatian Football Federation. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  43. ^ McNulty, Phil (15 July 2018). "France 4–2 Croatia". BBC. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  44. ^ "Marko Pjaca vraća se u reprezentaciju nakon pet godina, evo kako je to komentirao" (in Croatian). www.vecernji.hr
  45. ^ Nemanja Grbic (6 July 2016). "Marko Pjaca: Why Croatia's gem is luring Liverpool into a European tug-of-war". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  46. ^
  47. ^ "News: President Decorates Croatian National Football Team Players and Coaching Staff". Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia. 13 November 2018. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019. the Order of Prince Branimir with Ribbon was awarded to Mr. Marko Pjaca...