Hajduk Split has secured the services of Dario Melnjak for another two years, despite initial indications that he might leave the club. Following Hajduk's 1:1 draw with Lokomotiva at Maksimir in the penultimate round of the SuperSport HNL, news emerged that Melnjak would extend his contract with Hajduk. According to Dalmatinski portal, all details have been agreed upon, and only an official confirmation from the club is pending.
Melnjak, 34, joined Hajduk in 2021 as a free agent and has since made 158 appearances for the club across all competitions. He has scored 15 goals and provided 14 assists, with his most memorable performances coming in cup competitions. Four seasons ago, he scored twice against Rijeka in the final, and the following season, he netted in the final against Šibenik. In the current league season, he has made 22 appearances and contributed two assists.
Melnjak's Career Highlights
Born in Varaždin, Melnjak has played for several clubs including Zelina, Slaven Belupo, Domžale, Lokeren, Caykur Rizespor, and Neftči. He has also made eight appearances for the Croatian national team, with his last match coming against Malta in World Cup qualifiers in 2021.
The extension comes as Hajduk, under the new sporting director Robert Graff, attempts to restructure its squad by renegotiating contracts with players deemed unnecessary. Melnjak's continued presence signals a positive turn in the club's retention efforts.
This is a huge win for Hajduk! Keeping Melnjak around is a smart move. But can they really compete with the bigger teams in the league? Let's see how they perform this season!