Inter Milan Sign 16-Year-Old Croatian Right Back Duje Slatina

Duje Slatina, a top young football talent from Croatia, has signed with Inter Milan. The 16-year-old right back impressed with Hajduk Split’s youth teams before deciding to move to Italy.

WHAT HAPPENED?

On August 26, Inter Milan confirmed the signing of Croatian right back Duje Slatina. Slatina, who turned 16 this year, captained Hajduk Split’s youth team. He played 28 matches last season, scoring five goals for the cadet team. He has also been a regular for Croatia’s U-15 and U-16 national teams, earning nine caps and scoring once. Slatina had recently signed his first professional contract with Hajduk but chose to move to Inter. The transfer fee details have not been made public.

INTER’S YOUTH FOCUS AND SEASON SO FAR

Inter Milan continues to focus on young talent from across Europe, particularly Croatia, where they have had successful stories like Marcelo Brozović and Ivan Perišić. While Slatina is seen as a player for the future and not expected to feature for the first team anytime soon, his arrival adds depth to Inter’s youth ranks. This season, Inter is strong in Serie A, currently at the top of the table after the opening match due to goal difference, start the season as runner-ups last year. The main squad is preparing for their next Serie A match against seventh-placed Udinese, who drew their opener at home against Hellas Verona.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR DUJE SLATINA AND INTER?

Slatina will likely start his Italian career with Inter’s youth and Primavera teams, where he can grow and adapt to a new footballing culture. He will hope to follow the path of other Croatian players who have succeeded at Inter. For now, the focus will be on development, training, and earning minutes in youth competitions. Inter fans will be eager to track his progress in the coming seasons, while Hajduk Split watches another of its academy products chase his dreams on a bigger stage. For the main team, the focus shifts to Atalanta as they aim to maintain their top spot in Serie A.