2025–26 NK Istra 1961 season
| 2025–26 season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Baskonia - Alavés Group |
| Manager | Gonzalo García (until 13 June 2025) Goran Tomić (since 13 June 2025) |
| Stadium | Stadion Aldo Drosina |
| HNL | Pre-season |
| Croatian Cup | Pre-season |
The 2025–26 NK Istra 1961 season is the club's 65th season in existence and the 17th consecutive season in the top flight of Croatian football.
First-team squad
- As of 4 August 2025[1]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Transfers
In
| Pos | Player | Transferred from | Fee | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DF |  Iurie Iovu
|
 Deportivo Alavés B
|
Back from loan | 10 June 2025 | [2] |
| DF |  Filip Taraba
|
Široki Brijeg
|
€200,000 | 13 June 2025 | [3] |
| GK |  Carlo Jurak
|
Uljanik
|
Back from loan | 29 June 2025 | |
| DF | .svg.png){kind=small} Jovan Ivanisevic
|
 Bologna
|
Back from loan | 30 June 2025 | |
| DF |  Mohamed Nasraoui
|
CS Sfaxien
|
€340,000 | 30 June 2025 | [4] |
| FW |  Saydou Bangura
|
Roda JC Kerkrade
|
Undisclosed | 3 July 2025 | [5] |
| MF |  Emil Frederiksen
|
 Rosenborg
|
€300,000 | 9 July 2025 | [6] |
| DF | Alejandro Jay
|
Deportivo Alavés B
|
Loan | 11 July 2025 | [7] |
| FW | Smail Prevljak
|
 Hertha BSC
|
Free | 11 July 2025 | [8] |
Source: Glasilo Hrvatskog nogometnog saveza
Out
| Pos | Player | Transferred to | Fee | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DF | Iurie Iovu
|
 Dundee United
|
€200,000 | 10 June 2025 | [2] |
| DF |  Stephane Keller
|
Deportivo Alavés
|
Back from loan | 11 June 2025 | [9] |
| DF | Luka Bogdan
|
 AEL Limassol
|
Free | 11 June 2025 | [9] |
| FW | Hamza Jaganjac
|
Željezničar Sarajevo
|
Loan | 11 June 2025 | [9] |
| FW | Mateo Lisica
|
Dinamo Zagreb
|
€1,300,000 | 11 June 2025 | [10] |
| DF | Moris Valinčić
|
Dinamo Zagreb
|
€1,350,000 | 24 June 2025 | [11] |
| GK | Carlo Jurak
|
 FC Juniors OÖ
|
Undisclosed | 26 June 2025 | [12] |
| MF | Slavko Blagojević
|
No team | Retired | 28 June 2025 | [13] |
| GK | Lovro Majkić
|
 Aris Thessaloniki
|
€200,000 | 1 July 2025 | [14] |
| GK | Marko Juršić
|
Banjole
|
Free | 18 July 2025 | [15] |
| MF | Ivan Ćalušić
|
 Radomlje
|
Free | 22 July 2025 | [16] |
| FW | Lorenzo Travaglia
|
No team | Free | 22 July 2025 | [17] |
| FW |  Giorgi Gagua
|
 DAC Dunajská Streda
|
€200,000 | 24 July 2025 | [18] |
Source: Glasilo Hrvatskog nogometnog saveza
Total spending: 
€840,000
Total income: 
€3,250,000
Total expenditure: €2,410,000
Competitions
Overview
| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | |||||
| SuperSport HNL | 3 August 2025 | May 2026 | Matchday 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 0.00 | |
| Croatian Cup | First round | Winners | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | — | ||
| Total | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 0.00 | ||||
Last updated: 16 August 2025
Source: Soccerway
Croatian Football League
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation[a] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Lokomotiva | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 4 | |
| 6 | Slaven Belupo | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 3 | |
| 7 | Istra 1961 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 2 | |
| 8 | Varaždin | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 2 | |
| 9 | Osijek | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 2 |
Updated to match(es) played on 17 August 2025. Source: SuperSport HNL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored (at home if two teams tied); 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Play-off
(Note: Criteria 2-4 and 7 is only used if deciding champion, teams to international competition or teams for relegation and in that case criteria 6 will not be used).[19]
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored (at home if two teams tied); 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Play-off
(Note: Criteria 2-4 and 7 is only used if deciding champion, teams to international competition or teams for relegation and in that case criteria 6 will not be used).[19]
Notes:
- ^ The 2025–26 Croatian Football Cup winners qualify for the Europa League first qualifying round (or the second-placed team if the Croatian Cup winners finish first). If the Croatian Cup winners finish in the top three, the second Conference League second qualifying round spot will be passed to the fourth-placed team.
Results summary
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 |
Last updated: 16 August 2025.
Source: SuperSport HNL
Results by round
Updated to match(es) played on 16 August 2025. Source: SuperSport HNL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Matches
| 3 August 2025 1 | Hajduk Split | 2–1 | Istra 1961 | Split |
| 21:00 CEST (UTC+02:00) | Report | Stadium: Stadion Poljud Attendance: 25,501 Referee: Patrik Kolarić |
| 9 August 2025 2 | Istra 1961 | 2–2 | Lokomotiva | Pula |
| 18:15 CEST (UTC+02:00) |
|
Report | Stadium: Stadion Aldo Drosina Attendance: 3,483 Referee: Zdenko Lovrić |
| 15 August 2025 3 | Vukovar 1991 | 1–1 | Istra 1961 | Vinkovci |
| 18:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) |
|
Report | Stadium: Stadion HNK Cibalia Attendance: 1,235 Referee: Ivan Vukančić |
Croatian Football Cup
Player seasonal records
Updated 5 August 2025
Goals
| Rank | Name | League | Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smail Prevljak
|
1 | – | 1 |
| TOTALS | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
Source: Competitive matches
Clean sheets
| Rank | Name | League | Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTALS | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Source: Competitive matches
Disciplinary record
| Number | Position | Player | HNL | Croatian Cup | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
| 8 | MF | Antonio Maurić
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTALS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
Appearances and goals
| Number | Position | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | HNL[n 1] | Croatian Cup[n 1] | ||||||
| 1 | GK | Franko Kolić
|
1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | Mohamed Nasraoui
|
1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 5 | MF | Josip Radošević
|
1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 6 | MF |  Logi Hrafn Róbertsson
|
0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 7 | FW | Vinko Rozić
|
1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | Antonio Maurić
|
1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | Smail Prevljak
|
1 | 1 | 1+0 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | Stjepan Lončar
|
1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 11 | FW | Saydou Bangura
|
1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | Emil Frederiksen
|
1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 18 | MF |  Israel Isaac Ayuma
|
0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 21 | DF |  Ville Koski
|
1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 22 | FW | Danijel Djuric
|
1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 23 | DF | Alejandro Jay
|
0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 24 | DF | Filip Taraba
|
0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 26 | DF | Marcel Heister
|
1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 32 | MF | Dominik Celija
|
1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 70 | FW | Salim Fago Lawal
|
1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 77 | FW | Charles Adah Agada
|
0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 97 | DF | Advan Kadušić
|
1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
Notes
References
- ^ "Team". www.nkistra.com.
- ^ a b "Iurie Iovu potpisao za škotskog drugoligaša! Istra će dobiti 200 tisuća eura i postotak od idućeg transfera" (in Croatian). IstraIN. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ "FILIP TARABA JE NOVI IGRAČ ZELENO ŽUTIH" (in Croatian). NK Istra 1961. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Mohamed Nasraoui novi je igrač Istre 1961: Jedan od najtalentiranijih mladih braniča u Tunisu" (in Croatian). Regional Express. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "DOBRO NAM DOŠAO SAYDOU BANGURA" (in Croatian). NK Istra 1961. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "DOBRO NAM DOŠAO EMIL FREDERIKSEN" (in Croatian). NK Istra 1961. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Alejandro Jay novo je pojačanje Istre 1961: stigao na posudbu iz Alavesa" (in Croatian). Regional Express. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Smail Prevljak novo je pojačanje Istre 1961: Zeleno-žuti doveli iskusnog reprezentativca BiH!" (in Croatian). IstraIN. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "KELLER I BOGDAN NAPUSTILI KLUB; JAGANJAC ODLAZI NA POSUDBU" (in Croatian). NK Istra 1961. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "MATEO LISICA OSTVARIO TRANSFER U GNK DINAMO ZAGREB" (in Croatian). NK Istra 1961. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Moris Valinčić i službeno potpisao za GNK Dinamo" (in Croatian). IstraIN. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Mladi vratar Istre 1961 preselio u redove austrijskog bundesligaša" (in Croatian). Sportnet.hr. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Umirovio se Slavko Blagojević" (in Croatian). Index.hr. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Lovro Majkić potpisao za Aris: Kapetan Istre 1961 karijeru nastavlja u Grčkoj" (in Croatian). IstraIN. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Zapisnik izvršenih registracija 18.07.2025" (PDF) (in Croatian). Croatian Football Federation. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
- ^ "Ivan Ćalušić više nije igrač Istre 1961" (in Croatian). Regional Express. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ "Zapisnik izvršenih registracija 22.07.2025" (PDF) (in Croatian). Croatian Football Federation. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "GIORGI GAGUA OSTVARIO TRANSFER U DAC 1904" (in Croatian). NK Istra 1961. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Propozicije natjecanja za prvenstvo SuperSport Hrvatske nogometne lige za natjecateljsku godinu 2022/2023" (PDF). hns-cff.hr (in Croatian). 1 July 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.