GNK Dinamo Zagreb have officially strengthened their squad with a long-term investment, signing 17-year-old Mexican talent Saúl Tejeda. The club had been monitoring the young forward for two years before the transfer, which required FIFA approval, was finally completed.
Saúl Tejeda, born in 2009 in Tehuacán, first came for a trial at Maksimir in September 2024 when he was just 15 years old. He continued his development afterwards with American club San Diego Surf, where he excelled in the ECNL league. In the 2023/24 season, he was named the best U-15 player in the ECNL Southwest Conference and selected for the All-American team. The following season he repeated the success, winning the same award in the U-16 category.
Mexican international career
Tejeda has also made a strong impression wearing the Mexico shirt. He debuted for the U-15 national team in 2023 and scored for the U-17 side in a 3:1 friendly win against Argentina's Newell's Old Boys in May. He also scored and provided an assist in a comprehensive 6:0 victory over Barbados. Mexican media have highlighted his exceptional speed, dribbling, and one-on-one ability as key qualities.
Although the transfer is officially complete, it has not yet been determined whether Tejeda will take his first steps at Dinamo with the youth, B, or senior team. The club described him as a player who primarily operates on the right wing but can cover other attacking positions. This move clearly demonstrates the Zagreb club's strategy of investing in young talents with potential for further development and future sale.
Dinamo currently sit second in the HNL table with 13 points from five games, having secured a convincing 4:0 win against Bedem Ivankovo on Sunday. This new arrival comes as the team shows good form, and a detailed overview of all players is available in the squad section.
Saúl Tejeda will now join training and try to integrate into an environment that is not entirely unfamiliar, having already spent time at the club two years ago.
