Rumours are swirling that Luka Lončar, a two-time Olympic silver medalist and one of Croatia’s most decorated centre-forwards, could be on his way back to the domestic league—potentially rejoining his former club, Mladost.
Lončar, now 38, began his career at Mladost but left over a decade ago. A return to the Zagreb-based club would mark a full-circle moment in a glittering career that has taken him across Europe’s elite water polo scene.
Between 2015 and 2021, Lončar became a cornerstone of Jug Dubrovnik’s golden era, helping them win the LEN Champions League, LEN Super Cup, three Regional Leagues, and nine domestic titles—including five Croatian League championships and four Croatian Cups.
He later gained valuable experience in the Italian League, featuring for both Brescia and the powerhouse Pro Recco. With Recco, Lončar added two more Champions League titles (2022, 2023) before a surprise move to Olympiacos, where he has played since 2023. Interestingly, a return to Mladost was already on the table after his spell in Italy, but the offer from Olympiacos proved too good to turn down.
Internationally, Lončar boasts an exceptional résumé, collecting 13 medals with Croatia. After winning silver at the Rio 2016 Olympics and retiring from international play after Tokyo 2020, he made a comeback in 2023 at the invitation of head coach Ivica Tucak. His return helped Croatia reach the final in all three major tournaments last season, earning gold at the World Championships and silver medals at both the European Championships and the Olympic Games.
Adding to the excitement around Mladost, the club is also set to sign two rising stars from Primorje—goalkeeper Mauro Čubranić and centre-forward Viktor Tončinić—signalling a potential new chapter for the iconic club.