NK Varaždin's key striker Ivan Mamut is on the verge of a move to Indonesian side Persija Jakarta. This transfer, first reported by Gol.hr, will bring the Croatian club around half a million euros. Mamut became an important player after joining last summer, and his departure comes right after the team's excellent start to the season, which sees them second in the HNL standings.
Why was Mamut so important for Varaždin?
Ivan Mamut scored 14 goals in 36 appearances for Varaždin. This season he has already netted twice in the league and once in the Conference League qualifiers. His efficiency in front of goal was a primary driver of the team's success. The outlet 24sata noted that "the club could soon be without Ivan Mamut, one of its most important attackers." His role in the attack will be difficult to replace quickly, and the coach must find a solution within the existing squad.
How much will Varaždin earn from the transfer?
The transfer of Ivan Mamut to Persija Jakarta is worth approximately 500,000 euros. This is a significant sum for a club that signed him as a free agent last summer, paying no fee. This income can become an important part of the budget to offset the loss in attack. The funds could be used to strengthen the team in a future transfer window or for other club needs.
How is Varaždin's current season going?
NK Varaždin has started the season in excellent form. After five rounds, the team is in second place in the HNL table, behind Osijek only on goal difference. This strong start makes the departure of a key player even more challenging. The next test for the team without Mamut comes as soon as Tuesday, September 4th, at home against Istra 1961. Details of that and all upcoming matches can be found on our fixtures page.
Who will replace Mamut in attack?
The NK Varaždin coach now faces the question of who will take over the role of main goalscorer. There are several options within the current squad, but none have shown Mamut's consistency in the final third. The rest of the attacking roster will need to raise their level of play to maintain the high league position. The opportunity to do so arrives at the very next league match against Istra.
The NK Varaždin players are already preparing for the match against Istra 1961 to be played at the Stadion Anđelko Herjavec.
