Kapetan ne samo da ostaje i nadalje s nama, nego je produžio ugovor sve do ljeta 2030. godine! Marko Malenica, najpouzdaniji prvotimac Bijelo-plavih, dogovorio je nastavak suradnje s Nogometnim klubom Osijek i to je svakako razlog obostranom zadovoljstvu. Inače, nakon onog početnog stipendijskog ugovora u mlađim kategorijama, ovo je već peti profesionalni kontrakt našeg sjajnog vratara u najpopularnijem slavonskom sportskom kolektivu.

Onaj moj prvi osjećaj i neka najizraženija emocija je da je ovo moj dom. Ovdje sam kao kod svoje kuće. Došao sam iz Nove Gradiške sada već prilično daleke 2008. godine i jedno ne baš kratko vrijeme živio na stadionu kao klinac koji se probijao kroz mlađe kategorije, prolazeći kao srednjoškolac svoje tinejdžerske dane. Provodio sam jako puno vremena s ljudima koji rade u Klubu, stekao kroz to razdoblje i jako puno prijatelja tako da zaista mogu reći kako mi je jako lijepo u Osijeku, izjavio je Malenica.

Klubu će uvijek ostati zahvalan

Uvijek je Marko naglašavao kako je zahvalan Klubu na svemu i da će uvijek imati taj osjećaj. Puno je lijepih trenutaka proživio s Bijelo-plavima, postao je i ljubimac navijača koji u njemu prepoznaju ne samo odličnog nogometaša, nego i pravog profesionalca i čovjeka koji mnogim mladićima u svijetu sporta može biti uzor. 

Meni je NK Osijek stvarno dao puno u životu, pružio mi priliku da se dokažem i nametnem na nogometnoj sceni u Hrvatskoj. Dao mi je i dom kada je trebalo, tako da mi zaista ovaj klub jako puno znači i nadam se da sam mu uspio barem jednim dijelom vratiti ono, što je on meni omogućio kroz sve ove godine.

Posebno nam je drago što je najčvršći oslonac momčadi svojim primjerom pokazao i mladim igračima kako razmišlja jedan senator u svlačionici koji dobro zna i osjeća veličinu ovog Kluba u našem podneblju.

Eto ostajemo i dalje zajedno, drago mi je zbog toga i samo neka me zdravlje posluži, za sve ostalo ću se sam već nekako izboriti. Uvijek sam se trudio svakoga dana davati sve od sebe, svjestan da sam puno toga dobio. Imam i veliku privilegiju biti kapetan momčadi, ali isto tako i veliku odgovornost. Svjestan sam kakvi su sve igrači nosili kapetansku vrpcu u NK Osijek i to mi je obveza više u vremenu koje ćemo i u idućim godinama provesti zajedno.

„Marko ima neprocjenjivu ulogu u obnovi naše momčadi“

I Kenneth Zandvliet je zadovoljan napustio svoj ured ovoga ponedjeljka, u kasnim popodnevnim satima. Završiti ovu priču na najbolji način i njemu je bilo posebno važno…

Svi smo u Klubu iznimno sretni i zadovoljni što je Marko produžio svoj ugovor. On je u posljednje vrijeme bio jedan od naših ključnih igrača, a trenutno ima neprocjenjivu ulogu u obnovi naše momčadi. Malenica ima veliko povjerenje u smjer kojim smo krenuli kao kolektiv i organizacija, što iznimno cijenimo. Njegovo mišljenje, iskustvo i savjeti od velike su nam važnosti. Osim toga, ponikao je ovdje i to nam je posebno drago. Marku želimo puno uspjeha u našem divnom Klubu!

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Marko Malenica extends his contract until 2030!

 

Everyone at Opus Arena is especially delighted that the backbone of our team will continue to inspire the next generation for years to come.

 

Our captain is not only staying with us – he has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2030! Marko Malenica, one of the White-and-Blues' most reliable first-team players, has agreed to extend his stay with NK Osijek, much to the delight of everyone at the club. Following the scholarship contract he signed as a youth player, this marks the fifth professional contract of our outstanding goalkeeper with Slavonia's most successful football club.

My first feeling – and the strongest emotion I have – is that this is my home. I truly feel at home here. I arrived from Nova Gradiška back in 2008, and for quite a long time I actually lived at the stadium as a young boy making his way through the academy while spending my teenage years here as a high school student. I spent so much time with the people working at the club and made many lifelong friends along the way, so I can honestly say that I feel wonderful here in Osijek, said Malenica.

Forever grateful to the Club

Marko has always emphasised how grateful he is to the Club for everything it has given him, and that is something he will always carry with him. He has experienced many unforgettable moments wearing the White-and-Blue shirt and has become a true fan favourite. Supporters recognise him not only as an outstanding footballer but also as a consummate professional and a person who sets the right example for young athletes.

NK Osijek has truly given me so much in life. The club gave me the opportunity to prove myself and establish my place in Croatian football. It also gave me a home when I needed one, which is why this club means so much to me. I only hope I've been able to repay at least a small part of everything it has given me throughout all these years.

We are especially pleased that one of the team's strongest pillars continues to lead by example, showing our young players what it means to be one of the senior figures in the dressing room—someone who truly understands and appreciates the stature of this Club.

So, we're staying together, and I'm really happy about that. As long as I stay healthy, I'll take care of everything else myself. I've always tried to give my absolute best every single day because I'm aware of how much I've received. It's also a tremendous honour to captain this team, but with that comes great responsibility. I know the calibre of players who have worn the captain's armband at NK Osijek before me, and that gives me even greater motivation for the years we will continue to spend together.

"Marko plays an invaluable role in rebuilding our team"

Kenneth Zandvliet also left his office on Monday evening with a smile. Bringing this story to a successful conclusion was particularly important to him.

We are all extremely pleased that Marko has extended his contract. He has been one of our key players in recent years and currently plays an invaluable role in rebuilding our team. Marko has great confidence in the direction we have taken as a club and as an organisation, and we greatly appreciate that. His opinion, experience and advice are highly valued. On top of that, he's one of our own, and we love that. We wish Marko every success at our wonderful Club!