GNK Dinamo Zagreb is finalizing two new signings while a familiar face returns to Maksimir. Forward Iker Almena is arriving on a one-year loan from Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah, while goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski is returning to the club from Copenhagen also on loan.
Iker Almena is a 22-year-old Spanish forward who spent last season at Hajduk Split. According to claims by Italian insider Matteo Moretto, whose tweet was published on September 1st, an agreement between the clubs has been finalized. Almena is expected to undergo medical examinations in Zagreb this week, most likely on Wednesday. At Dinamo, he will cover the winger positions, with an emphasis on the right side.
Dinamo has also agreed on an option to buy Almena's contract at the end of the season. However, the financial terms of a permanent transfer are still under discussion. The Saudi club initially asked for five million euros, but Dinamo wants a significantly lower price given that Almena will have only one year left on his contract after this season. At Hajduk, he scored four goals and provided three assists in 23 appearances.
Dinamo initially wanted Dominik Livaković for the goalkeeper position, but when that return did not materialize, they opted for Dominik Kotarski. Kotarski (26) arrives from Copenhagen and takes over the role of first-choice goalkeeper. This marks the return of a player who came through Dinamo's academy before leaving for Ajax in 2018.
Kotarski is a modern goalkeeper known for his secure play with his feet and involvement in building attacks. His strengths are his reflexes and one-on-one situations. After leaving Ajax, he built his career at Gorica and PAOK, where he became a Croatian national team player and won the Greek league title in the 2023/24 season. It was with PAOK that he eliminated Dinamo from the Conference League that year.
The return of Luka Ivanušec to Dinamo is, according to information from Index.hr Sport, practically agreed. Dutch media outlet Voetbal International reported that the 27-year-old international is leaving Feyenoord on a free transfer after failing to meet expectations. In Rotterdam, he scored four goals and provided seven assists in 55 appearances, spending last season on loan at PAOK.
Some final formalities and a medical examination remain. Ivanušec returns to the club where he was one of the most important players between 2019 and 2023. Dinamo gains an experienced attacking midfielder who can play in several positions. Interestingly, he will face Dutch clubs NEC and AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League group stage.
The analytical site Football Meets Data has estimated that the probability of Dinamo repeating its unusual elimination from the Champions League with 11 points from the 2024/25 season is extremely low. According to their simulation the chance that 11 points again would not be enough to enter the top 24 teams is only 0.1 percent.
Back then, in the new 36-team format, Dinamo finished in 25th place and was eliminated despite having the same number of points as Manchester City, Sporting, and Club Brugge. The following season proved that even nine points were enough to advance. Dinamo will not play in the Champions League this season but in the Europa League, after being eliminated by Norwegian side Viking in the qualification play-offs.
Dinamo enters this period of change in good form in the HNL. After four matches played, the club is third in the standings with 10 points, three wins, and one draw. The gap to leaders NK Osijek is two points. The team has scored 11 goals and conceded only three. The next challenge is a home match against HNK Gorica on September 5th. More detailed squad data can be found in our squad overview.
