Club
Pitch Update
10th February 2026
Dundee United are delighted to announce the signing of Ivan Dolcek from Nike Liga side Dunajska Streda on a season-long loan.
The deal, which is subject to both SFA and international clearance, includes an option to buy.
A native of Northern Croatia, Dolcek was snapped up by Croatia’s most successful club, Dinamo Zagreb, to hone his talents in their world-renowned youth system.
He progressed through an academy set-up which has produced numerous elite-level talents such as Balon D’or winner Luka Modric, Josip Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic, before making his first foray into the senior game with hometown club Slaven Belupo.
The winger, who made his Croatian top-flight debut aged just 17, balanced his Gradski Stadion exploits with regular national team action at U19 and U21 level.
In the summer of 2019, six-time SuperSport HNL champions, Hajduk Split, swooped for Dolcek, with his burgeoning reputation as one of Croatian football’s rising stars commanding a sizeable transfer fee.
Our new number 19 joined future Terrors colleague, Vicko Ševelj, on the Adriatic Coast, and marked his bow for the Bili with a 95th-minute winner in UEFA Europa League Qualifying. A first league goal followed less than three weeks later in a Matchday Two rout of NK Varazdin.
Across four seasons at Stadion Poljud, Dolcek made 70 appearances in white, scooping a Croatian Cup-winners medal in the process.
He also enjoyed successful loan stints with Famalicao of Portugal and HNK Sibenik, finding the back of the net on six occasions with the latter throughout 2022/23.
Bringing the curtain down on his Hajduk career, Dolcek ventured north to Slovakia to pen a deal with Dunajska Streda in January 2024.
The 25-year-old helped his new employers secure a second-placed finish alongside fellow United new boy Krisztian Keresztes, before returning to the club which launched his career, Slaven Belupo, on loan for the 2024/25 campaign.
Dolcek notched four goals last term whilst also ranking amongst the division’s most adventurous dribblers - a testament to the dynamic edge our tenth summer addition will bring to the frontline.
A CONSTANT THREAT ON EITHER FLANK
As his summer transfer haul enters double figures, Jim Goodwin underlined his satisfaction in further strengthening his attacking options, commenting: “We’re thrilled to secure Ivan’s services - he’s a really exciting addition to the playing group.
"A fearless ball carrier, Ivan’s immense technical ability combined with a first-class delivery into the area make him a constant threat on either flank.”
The Irishman continued: “He also has an eye for goal both inside the box and from further afield, capable of producing moments of magic which can change the course of a game in an instant.
“I have no doubts our supporters will thoroughly enjoy watching him throughout his time at Tannadice, and we hope he can realise his full potential in the Scottish Premiership.”
