Nikola Soldo Explained

Nikola Soldo
Birth Date:25 January 2001
Birth Place:Stuttgart, Germany
Height:1.89 m
Position:Defender
Currentclub:1. FC Köln
Clubnumber:5
Youthyears1:2006–2010
Youthclubs1:Dinamo Zagreb
Youthyears2:2010–2011
Youthclubs2:Lokomotiva Zagreb
Youthyears3:2011–2013
Youthclubs3:Zagreb
Youthyears4:2013–2014
Youthclubs4:HAŠK
Youthyears5:2014–2015
Youthclubs5:Tekstilac Ravnice
Youthyears6:2015–2019
Youthclubs6:Inter Zaprešić
Years1:2019–2021
Clubs1:Inter Zaprešić
Caps1:55
Goals1:3
Years2:2021–2022
Clubs2:Lokomotiva Zagreb
Caps2:37
Goals2:2
Years3:2022–
Clubs3:1. FC Köln
Caps3:7
Goals3:0
Years4:2023–2024
Clubs4:1. FC Kaiserslautern (loan)
Caps4:15
Goals4:0
Nationalyears1:2019
Nationalteam1:Croatia U18
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2019–2020
Nationalteam2:Croatia U19
Nationalcaps2:3
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2023
Nationalteam3:Croatia U20
Nationalcaps3:2
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2021–
Nationalteam4:Croatia U21
Nationalcaps4:8
Nationalgoals4:1
Pcupdate:22 May 2024
Ntupdate:7 June 2023

Nikola Soldo (born 25 January 2001) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a defender for German club 1. FC Köln.

Club career

He began his career in the Dinamo Zagreb youth system, joining the club in 2008 during his father Zvonimir's managerial spell with the first team.[1] He was recognized as a promising talent, even before his teenage years.[2] He bounced around with several clubs before settling at Inter Zaprešić in 2015.

Soldo made his professional debut on 16 August 2019 as a member of the starting lineup during a 2–1 loss to Dinamo Zagreb.[3] Three months later, he scored his first goal in the final minutes of a defeat to Rijeka.[4] On 1 September 2022, the last day of the German transfer window, Soldo was transferred to Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln. He signed a contract until 2025 with the club.[5]

On 16 August 2023, Soldo moved on loan to 1. FC Kaiserslautern in 2. Bundesliga.[6]

Personal life

His father Zvonimir was a long-time member of the Croatia national team, notably playing at the UEFA Euro 1996, and the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.[3] At the club level, he played with Dinamo Zagreb, Zadar and Inter Zaprešić in his native country before finishing his career with a ten-year spell at VfB Stuttgart. Nikola was born in Stuttgart in 2001, midway through his father's fifth season in Germany.

His older brothers, Matija and Filip, are footballers as well, with Filip currently representing Inter Zaprešić.[3]

Career statistics

Club

Notes and References

  1. News: Nikola Soldo: Bit ću bolji nogometaš od tate Zvone. 24sata. 13 February 2008. 1 April 2020. Croatian.
  2. News: Soldos Sohn ragt bei Mini Masters heraus. Südwest Presse. Detlef. Groninger. 21 May 2012. 1 April 2020. German.
  3. News: Tata me savjetuje, vozi na treninge, volio bih ponoviti njegov uspjeh. Večernji list. Damir. Mrvec. 19 August 2019. 1 April 2020. Croatian.
  4. News: Rijeka nadigrala Inter, Osijek do pobjede u 94. minuti. HRT Sport. 24 November 2019. 1 April 2020. Croatian.
  5. Web site: FC verpflichtet Nikola Soldo . 2 September 2022 . . de.
  6. Web site: 1. FC Kaiserslautern. FCK LEIHT NIKOLA SOLDO VOM 1. FC KÖLN AUS. FCK LOANS NIKOLA SOLDO FROM 1. FC KÖLN. 16 August 2023. 16 August 2023. de.