Radnicki continue summer rebuild with signing of Croatian goalkeeper Ivan Marcelic

Radnicki have confirmed the signing of Croatian goalkeeper Ivan Marcelic from Mladost Zagreb, continuing an ambitious start to their summer transfer business.

The Serbian champions had already announced the arrival of Nikola Lukic from Novi Beograd, and have now added another experienced international to their squad ahead of the new season.

Marcelic, 32, arrives in Kragujevac after another spell with Mladost, the club where he has spent the majority of his career. He also played for Jadran Split between 2022 and 2024 before returning to the Zagreb-based side.

His arrival gives Radnicki a proven goalkeeper with vast experience at both club and international level. Marcelic made his debut for the Croatian national team 12 years ago and has been part of one of the country’s strongest eras.

With Croatia, he won gold at the 2017 World Championships, bronze at the 2019 World Championships, bronze at the 2018 European Championship, and also collected silver and bronze medals in the World League.

This season, Marcelic was part of Croatia’s squad at the European Championships in Belgrade, although he was not called up for the World Cup Division 1, where Croatia began a new chapter with a rejuvenated team.

At club level, Marcelic has remained a major figure. In November, he was named MVP of the Croatian Cup final after helping Mladost claim the trophy. Across the semifinals and final, he produced 34 saves, making 17 against Jug and another 17 in the final against Jadran.

Marcelic has not yet finished the current season with Mladost, who will face Jadran in the Croatian League final. However, in recent months, young goalkeeper Mauro Ivan Cubranic has been Mladost’s first-choice option for many of the club’s biggest matches.

His move to Radnicki is also part of a wider summer reshuffle at Mladost. Marcelic is now the second confirmed departure from the Zagreb club, with centre-forward Luka Loncar set to return to Olympiacos.

There could yet be another experienced name on the move. Josip Vrlic has been linked with a switch to Radnicki, where he has already played on two previous occasions.

For Radnicki, the Marcelic signing is a clear statement. After retaining the Serbian title, the Kragujevac side are strengthening quickly, adding proven international pedigree as they prepare for another demanding domestic and European campaign.

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