Vranješ and Šorša are new additions to the NK Osijek Academy

Within the overall sporting structure of NK Osijek, the Academy holds a special place. One of its primary objectives remains the development of players for the first team through high-quality, professional, and systematic work across all age groups. In recent days, we have further strengthened and enriched our Academy by welcoming two well-known figures who are highly respected not only in Osijek but throughout the Croatian football community. Ivo Vranješ and Tomislav Šorša have joined our team and will play an important role in the development of our young players.

For many years, Vranješ played a key role in identifying and developing numerous players who arrived at NK Osijek from outside the city and went on to leave a significant mark on the Club. He joins us as a coach and coordinator of the youngest age groups, while his valuable experience and expertise will also contribute to our scouting process.

"After four years, I'm back where I belong - back at my club. I left Gradski vrt, and now I'm returning to Opus Arena, to facilities that are truly unmatched in Croatia. I'm happy and proud to be coming home, where it all began.I'd like to thank everyone who made my return to the White-and-Blues possible, as well as the Club for recognising both my situation and what I can contribute through my work and experience. I'm ready to give my full commitment and take on whatever responsibilities are asked of me. I will put all of my knowledge, experience, and contacts at the service of NK Osijek.I know the coaching staff well, having worked with most of them for many years, and I'm excited to be reunited with them. It's especially rewarding to see the next generation coming through. I even coached some of them, and now we'll be working together to build the Club's sporting future. We're all here with the same goal: to help NK Osijek produce as many quality first-team players from our Academy as possible," said Vranješ.

Following a successful playing career, the next chapter is making his mark as a coach.

We are also delighted to welcome Tomislav Šorša to our Academy coaching staff. A former standout first-team player, Šorša made 262 appearances for the White-and-Blues during his playing career. He will now pass on his wealth of experience to the Club's youngest talents as head coach of the U9 team, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his journey with his boyhood club.

"It is a great feeling to be part of NK Osijek again. I spent the best years of my playing career here, and now I want to prove myself as a coach as well.It is a privilege to work with the youngest players, and I will give my very best to help them develop and to be as successful as possible in this role. I will have a lot to learn from my more experienced colleagues, and that is something that excites me as well. Osijek gave me the opportunity to establish myself as a player, and I always tried to repay the Club on the pitch by giving everything I had. Now I will try to do the same as a coach within the Academy. With unity as our foundation, we can achieve a great deal, and I know that is the mindset of everyone I will be working with. This is a very special story for me, and I cannot wait for every new challenge ahead," said Šorša.