Goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski has officially joined GNK Dinamo Zagreb. The club has completed the loan signing of the Croatian national team goalkeeper from Copenhagen, with the deal including a permanent buy option, as reported by Net.hr Sportski.
Dinamo paid 300,000 euros for the loan. The contract includes an option to make the move permanent for 3.3 million euros. Kotarski returns to the club where he spent six years in the youth academy before moving abroad.
Why did Kotarski choose to return?
Kotarski spent last season as the first-choice goalkeeper in Copenhagen. Although they wanted him to stay, when he heard about the possibility of returning to Maksimir, he decided to accept the challenge. "I'm really happy and excited, I'm finally home," said Kotarski. "Dinamo has always been my club since childhood, my only football love."
The goalkeeper recalled receiving his first club jersey at age four and not taking it off. He dreamed of playing at Maksimir, and now he'll realize that dream in an unusual way. "Dinamo doesn't let you down, it's my club, I want to achieve great things here, win trophies," he stated. "I know that comes with great responsibility, but I'm ready for all of it."
How does he fit into the current squad?
Dinamo currently sits third in the HNL with 10 points from four matches. The team has scored 11 goals while conceding only three. They trail league leaders Osijek by just two points. Kotarski will wear jersey number 24 and is expected to make his official debut in the sixth round against Gorica.
That match will be played at home on September 5th. Gorica currently occupies tenth place in the table, giving Dinamo an opportunity to secure more points. You can follow the full schedule on our fixtures page.
The return of an experienced goalkeeper is particularly important given current defensive injuries. The injury list includes Kévin Theophile-Catherine and Igor Filipović, which you can check on our injuries page. Kotarski will bring stability to the goal after being named the best goalkeeper in Greece during his career.
What is Kotarski's future role?
Beyond becoming the new goalkeeper for official club statements, Kotarski also serves as a reserve goalkeeper for the Croatian national team. His experience and familiarity with the club from his youth should help him integrate quickly. Dinamo hopes his presence will help in the title race, especially as they're already on a good path with three wins and one draw in the first four rounds.
Kotarski expressed readiness for all challenges ahead. His return comes at a key moment in the season when Dinamo needs a strong squad for domestic and European matches. You can track the current standings on our league table as the season develops.
Dominik Kotarski will make his Dinamo debut in the sixth round HNL match against HNK Gorica on Saturday, September 5th, 2026, at Maksimir Stadium.
