Toni Popadic has completed a major move in Croatian water polo, leaving Jug Dubrovnik to join Jadran Split.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper departs Jug after more than a decade with the Dubrovnik club, where he became one of the team’s most important figures and also served as captain for several seasons. His time at Gruz included many big domestic and European nights, with the standout achievement coming in 2016, when Jug won the Champions League.
Popadic’s arrival represents a significant signing for Jadran, who are reshaping their squad ahead of the new season. He is expected to replace Marko Bijac, the Croatian national team captain, who is likely to return to Pro Recco.
The move also creates an interesting storyline between two goalkeepers with strong connections to Jug. Bijac began his career in Dubrovnik and played alongside Popadic before moving abroad, while Popadic remained with the club for more than 10 years and became one of its leading personalities.
At international level, Popadic has also built an impressive CV with Croatia. He was part of the squad that won Olympic silver in 2024, while he also helped Croatia claim gold at the 2022 European Championships and silver at the 2024 edition.
For Jadran Split, his experience, leadership, and knowledge of the Croatian league could prove valuable as the club looks to remain competitive both domestically and in Europe.
For Jug, his departure marks the end of a long chapter. Popadic was not only a reliable presence in goal, but also one of the symbols of the club across the last decade.
His switch to Jadran adds further intrigue to the Croatian water polo landscape, with one of Jug’s long-serving leaders now preparing to represent one of their major domestic rivals.
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