Spanish footballer Iker Almena has signed for GNK Dinamo Zagreb on a one-year loan deal with an option to buy, sparking fierce reactions from fans of his former club. The transfer of the 24-year-old winger, arriving from Saudi Arabia's Al-Qadsia, immediately became the main topic in Croatian football. This news was first reported by Net.hr Sportski.
With this move, Dinamo has acquired quality for the right side of attack, and Almena can also play as an attacking midfielder if needed. The club currently sits third in the HNL with 10 points from four games, just two points behind leaders Osijek. Check the current standings for details. Their next challenge is a home match against HNK Gorica on September 5th, which you can follow on our fixtures page.
Why did the transfer cause controversy?
Iker Almena spent last season with Hajduk Split, where he made 23 official appearances and scored 4 goals. His move to the ranks of their biggest rival automatically put him in the public spotlight. He became the 44th player in history to play official matches for both major Croatian clubs. The financial terms he received in Zagreb are almost identical to those he had in Split.
It was this connection with Hajduk that triggered a wave of negative reactions from the Split club's fans. The criticism was so intense that Almena was forced to temporarily deactivate his Instagram profile to avoid further conflict. As reported by Net.hr, "Zbog bijesa navijača Hajduka morao ugasiti Instagram" ("Due to the anger of Hajduk fans, he had to turn off Instagram").
How is Almena handling the pressure?
After deactivating the profile, the Spanish forward reactivated it. As his first post after returning, he published a photo wearing the Hajduk jersey but disabled comments on the post to prevent further trouble. This move shows awareness of the sensitive nature of the transfer and a desire to avoid unnecessary escalation.
Dinamo currently has an excellent goal difference of +8, having scored 11 and conceded only 3 goals this season. This statistical advantage could be further strengthened by the arrival of the new attacker. For a more detailed analysis of player performances, visit our stats page.
Where will Almena find his place in the team?
Iker Almena's main role at Dinamo will be on the right wing, where he will bring speed and technical quality. However, his ability to also play in the midfield behind the striker gives the coach additional tactical flexibility. This is especially important given the busy match schedule ahead.
Dinamo's squad is currently in good rhythm, with a recent run of form reading DWWW. Almena's arrival should strengthen the attack and help the club maintain pressure on the top spot in the table. The team roster can always be checked on our squad page.
What to expect in the upcoming matches?
The first opportunity for Iker Almena to play for his new club could come as early as Tuesday, September 5th, when Dinamo hosts HNK Gorica at home. Gorica is currently in 10th place in the table, giving Dinamo a chance to secure new points. This match will be an important test for the Spanish forward and an opportunity to show why the club brought him in.
The loan deal for Iker Almena runs until the end of the season, with Dinamo retaining the option for a permanent purchase of his contract.
