Naš mladi napadač, 16-godišnji Jakov Dedić odlazi u inozemstvo i već se oprostio s dojučerašnjim suigračima i kolegama. Ranije smo, na početku priprema, objavili kako je za njega ozbiljan interes pokazalo više uglednih europskih klubova, a Dedić se prvenstveno kroz razgovore sa svojom obitelji na kraju odlučio za Njemačku. Prihvatili su ponudu visoko pozicioniranog bundesligaša TSG 1899 Hoffenheima u kojem je sjajnu karijeru ostvario poznati hrvatski reprezentativac Andrej Kramarić. Na kraju su sve uključene strane u pregovorima postigle dogovor, a NK Osijek će dobiti odštetu za svog velikog talenta i određene bonuse kroz ono razdoblje koje će Jakov provesti u svom novom klubu. Žao nam je što se nekako prebrzo rastajemo, nije to laka odluka, ali je u interesu dugoročnije stabilnosti Kluba. Nije cilj prodati igrače „pod svaku cijenu“, nego kada su ispunjeni određeni sportski i financijski uvjeti. Kada za mladog igrača stigne ponuda koja predstavlja veliko priznanje njegovom radu i talentu, ali i našem Klubu, dužni smo sagledati širu sliku.

Na odlazak Jakova osvrnuo se i naš sportski direktor Kenneth Zandvliet:
Jako mi je žao što nas Jakov napušta; cilj nam je što prije dovesti talentirane igrače u prvu momčad, ali kada nas pozovu veliki klubovi poput ovog, to puno govori i o izvanrednoj kvaliteti naše akademije, kojoj ćemo biti potpuno predani u nadolazećim godinama! Želimo Jakovu puno uspjeha i nastavit ćemo ga pomno pratiti u Hoffenheimu.

Potvrda kvalitetnog rada u našoj Akademiji

Dakle, nije u pitanju samo odlazak jednog nadarenog igrača, nego i potvrda da Osijek stvara nogometaše koji mogu zaigrati na visokoj europskoj razini. I ovaj transfer potvrđuje kvalitetan rad u našoj Školi nogometa koja će zasigurno iznjedriti nove talente koji će također brzo pokucati na vrata prve momčadi. Dedić je za Bijelo-plave nastupio tri puta i odigrao ukupno 26 minuta u HNL-u, ulazeći s klupe za pričuve u završnici utakmica. Debitirao je 8. veljače ove godine u gostima kod Varaždina, a zaigrao je još protiv Lokomotive na Maksimiru i s Vukovarom 1991 u Gradskom vrtu. Većinu je vremena, ipak, proveo u sastavu kadetske i juniorske momčadi koje se natječu u Prvoj ligi mladeži. Prošle sezone posebno se iskazao igrajući za U-17 reprezentaciju Hrvatske za koju je postigao čak 13 golova u 15 odigranih susreta! Bio je sjajan u kvalifikacijama za Europsko prvenstvo, dok je na završnoj smotri, na EURU u Estoniji zabio hat-trick Španjolcima.

Odgovornost je donijeti najbolju odluku

Svjesni smo da su mnogi navijači poželjeli da je Jakov barem još neko vrijeme ostao kod nas, takvu želju razumijemo i dijelimo. Međutim, u karijerama mladih igrača slične se prilike ne pojavljuju više puta. Kada se poklope interes igrača, sportski plan i dugoročni interes Kluba – odgovornost je donijeti odluku koja će biti najbolja za sve strane. Ovakvi trenuci znaju biti emotivni, ali i pokazuju kako idemo ispravnim putem jer dečki iz Akademije imaju priliku sustavno se razvijati kod nas, ali i u određenom trenutku napraviti iskorak prema nekim svojim osobnim ciljevima…

Jakovu Dediću zahvaljujemo na vremenu koje je proveo trenirajući i igrajući u NK Osijek te mu želimo puno sreće i uspjeha na njegovom sportskom i životnom putu! Neka ostvari svoje dječačke snove, odrastao je u našem okruženju i vjerujemo kako će i nadalje dostojno predstavljati ne samo sebe, nego i sredinu u kojoj je igrački sazrijevao. Vrata našeg Kluba uvijek mu ostaju otvorena.

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Jakov Dedić Bids Farewell to the White and Blues

 

Several prestigious European clubs showed interest in the young striker, who is still only 16 years old.

Our young forward, 16-year-old Jakov Dedić, is moving abroad and has already said goodbye to his teammates and colleagues at the Club. Earlier, at the start of pre-season preparations, we reported that several renowned European clubs had expressed serious interest in him. After careful discussions with his family, Jakov ultimately decided to continue his career in Germany.

The family accepted an offer from Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, where Croatian international Andrej Kramarić has enjoyed a highly successful career. All parties involved in the negotiations have now reached an agreement, with NK Osijek receiving a transfer fee for one of its brightest young talents, along with performance-related bonuses during Jakov's time at his new club.

Although we are naturally sorry to see him leave so soon, this was not an easy decision. However, it is in the best long-term interests of the Club. Our objective is never to sell players "at any cost," but only when the sporting and financial conditions are right. When a young player receives an offer that represents outstanding recognition of both his talent and hard work—as well as the quality of our Club—we have a responsibility to consider the bigger picture. 

Our sporting director Kenneth Zandvliet also commented on Jakov's departure:
I’m naturally very sorry to see Jakov leave us; we aim to bring talented players through to our first team as quickly as possible, but when big clubs like this come calling, it also says a lot about the outstanding quality of our academy, which we’ll be fully committed to in the coming years! We wish Jakov every success and will continue to follow him closely at Hoffenheim.

 

A Testament to the Quality of Our Academy

This is not simply the departure of another gifted young player; it is further proof that NK Osijek continues to develop footballers capable of competing at the highest European level. This transfer once again highlights the excellent work being done in our Academy, which will undoubtedly continue to produce new talents ready to knock on the door of the first team.

Dedić made three first-team appearances for the White and Blues, playing a total of 26 minutes in the Croatian top flight after coming on as a substitute late in matches. He made his senior debut on 8 February away against Varaždin, before also featuring against Lokomotiva at Maksimir and Vukovar 1991 at Gradski vrt.

Most of his playing time, however, came with our U-17 and U-19 teams competing in Croatia's top youth divisions. Last season he particularly impressed with the Croatia U-17 national team, scoring an outstanding 13 goals in 15 appearances. He played a key role during the UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers and went on to score a memorable hat-trick against Spain at the final tournament in Estonia.

 

Our Responsibility Is to Make the Best Decision

We know many of our supporters would have liked to see Jakov remain at the Club for a while longer, and we fully understand and share those feelings. However, opportunities like this do not come around often in the careers of young players. When the interests of the player, the sporting project and the Club's long-term vision all align, it is our responsibility to make the decision that serves everyone's best interests.

Moments like these are always emotional, but they also demonstrate that we are on the right path. Our Academy continues to provide young players with the ideal environment to develop, while also giving them the opportunity, at the right moment, to take the next important step towards achieving their personal ambitions.

We would like to thank Jakov Dedić for everything he has contributed during his time at NK Osijek and wish him every success, both on and off the pitch, as he embarks on this exciting new chapter.

May he fulfil his childhood dreams. Having grown up within our Club, we are confident he will continue to represent not only himself with distinction, but also the environment in which he developed as a footballer.

The doors of NK Osijek will always remain open to him.