FOOTBALL TRANSFER MARKETS: Episode 3 – Croatia
The series Football Transfer Market continues. The new episode of Football Transfer Markets – Croatia is released. Episode 3 relates to Croatian transfer market covered by Hrvoje Čabraja, the head of legal department of Lokomotiva Zagreb FC, academic director of Agents’ Course organized by Aspira College and sports legal counsel of Union of European Clubs. This episode touches the professional football in Croatia.
The following topics are covered:
1. Domestic Training Compensation & Solidarity Mechanism in Croatia
Čabraja outlines Croatia’s approach to training compensation, which follows FIFA’s model but includes local modifications. He explains payment brackets based on club tier and reveals Croatia’s unique extra 1% solidarity contribution—paid by the former club to local associations.
2. How Croatian Clubs Structure Transfers
Transfer deals in Croatia often include sell-on clauses and conditional fees based on player performance. Čabraja also explains why clubs prefer waiving training compensation in exchange for future benefits, helping ease negotiations and player movement.
3. Use and Status of the Standard Contract Form
The Croatian Football Federation requires clubs to follow a minimum contract standard but allows them to expand terms. Čabraja discusses how this aligns with national labor laws and FIFA’s RSTP while accommodating real-world club needs.
4. FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR) in Croatian Football
Unlike many other jurisdictions, Croatia retains national-level enforcement of FFAR. The Croatian Football Federation still manages agent licensing, reporting, and disciplinary actions, promoting transparency and local oversight.
5. Additional Topics: Loan Rules and Youth Development Agreements
Croatia allows joint eligibility for players under cooperation agreements between clubs. Čabraja explains how this system works, the benefits for player development, and potential regulatory concerns around competition integrity.
Croatian football demonstrates a clear and pragmatic legal structure that blends international compliance with national solutions. This episode highlights how the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) addresses challenges in player development, contract regulation, and agent governance with well-tailored strategies.
Join us as we explore these essential topics to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Croatian football transfer market. Watch the episode now to uncover exclusive knowledge straight from an industry practitioner. For convenience, the episode is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcast.
