Bayern Munich midfielder Gabriel Vidović has swapped one Rekordmeister for another after he signed permanently for Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb.
Sporting director Christoph Freund said (via FCBayern.com): “Gabriel Vidović learned his trade at our FC Bayern Campus and then continued to develop through our loan concept, accepting every challenge. Now is the right time for the next step in his career. We would like to thank him for his commitment and wish him continued success both on a sporting and personal level.”
The 21-year old youngster made his debut for Bayern’s first team in 2022 against Arminia Bielefeld, but never really established himself afterwards. He went on loan to SBV Vitesse in the Netherlands and Mainz 05, and even to Zagreb in between those two spells. Now, the Croatian record champions are bringing in the starlet once more, this time to stay.
During his time at Bayern, Vidović won three official titles — two Bundesliga championships and one Supercup. However, his crowning moment in a Bayern shirt did not come in an official match, but in a preseason game against Tottenham Hotspur last summer in Seoul. He scored the opener and helped Bayern to the coveted (?) Coupang Play Series title.
Although Vidović is Croatian, he was born in Germany, Augsburg to be exact, so this move is not a traditional homecoming. However, he does have the honor of playing for the biggest clubs in both his home countries now, so there’s that.
Vidović and Bayern will not have a reunion any time soon, though, as Zagreb will not be competing in the Champions League next season. Their second place finish in the league granted them a spot in the Europa League instead.