VfL Wolfsburg have gone about their transfer business in an understated way this summer as they look to strengthen key areas of the squad and are desperately keen to make up for the disappointment of missing out in European qualification on the final day of last season. The signing of Croatian Lovro Majer, however shows that they mean business with the hugely talented midfielder arriving with the potential to take the Wölfe over the line this season.
The new Modric?
Being dubbed the new ‘anybody’ can always be a bit of a burden and can take away from a player’s individuality, but if you are going to be compared to anyone then Real Madrid’s Luca Modric is by no means an insult. The fact that new Wolfsburg signing Lovro Majer is Croatian and plays in the same role with a similar style was always going to bring such a comparison, but he is keen to prove himself in his own right having made the move from Rennes in Ligue 1 to the Bundesliga.
Before moving to France in 2021, the 25-year-old played in his homeland for both Dinamo Zagreb and Lokomotiva Zagreb, amassing 241 appearances in total for the two clubs from the capital, scoring 46 goals. He made 62 league appearances in total for Rennes, twice helping them qualify for the Europa League and scoring eight goals in the process. He made his international debut in 2017 and was a member of the Croatian World Cup squad in Qatar. He has won 22 caps so far scoring four goals.
Majer plays mainly as an attacking central midfielder. He moves the ball forward quickly, but is not averse to moving wide when it suits. His technical ability and ball carrying skills are impressive, but he can also be relied upon to put in the defensive work.
He has long been tipped for a move to a ‘bigger’ stage and it came as somewhat of a surprise that Wolfsburg won his signature. It had been reported last summer that Real Madrid were monitoring him after a recommendation from Modric.
“It’s no secret that Lovro has been high on our list for a while now,” said VfL sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz following the signing of a five-year contract. “He is a creative, technically very gifted player who has proved his worth over the past two years in France. He also has plenty of experience on the European stage, having played in the Europa League with Rennes and the Champions League with Dinamo Zagreb, which makes us all the more pleased to have worked out a deal to bring him here to Wolfsburg. Lovro will now give us even more options in midfield – he can operate in the centre but is also a good player to have on the flanks.”
The player also spoke of his first impressions. “I’m really happy that my transfer to Wolfsburg and the Bundesliga has worked out, and I can hardly wait to finally kick things off,” said Majer. “I’m really looking forward to working with my new teammates as well as Niko Kovac and his coaching staff. I want to help the team, give my best and help us to achieve our goals.”
Majer made his Bundesliga debut in Wolfsburg’s 2-0 win over FC Heidenheim having already played in Rennes; opening Ligue 1 fixture this season.
