Nikola Vlašić
Nikola Vlašić is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Russian Premier League club CSKA Moscow and the Croatia national team.
In 2014, Vlašić made list of the world's top 40 footballers born in 1997, compiled by The Guardian.
Club career
Hajduk Split
Born in Split to the family of the athletics coach Joško Vlašić, as the younger brother of the world champion high jumper Blanka Vlašić, Nikola's future football career was viewed as a "project" by his father, who started training him personally ever since he was four years old.Vlašić went on to join the NK Omladinac Vranjic academy, before he was brought to HNK Hajduk Split, aged 12. He made his debut for the Croatia U16 national football team at the age of 14, playing regularly with older teammates at U17 and U18 levels as well. He excelled at youth club level as well, and in the 2013–2014 season he formed a potent midfield partnership for the Hajduk U17 team with Andrija Balić, which resulted in the team finishing the first half of the season in first place, without a single loss. The two then received and signed professional contracts, and were moved to the U19 team, where he played regularly.
He made his first team debut in the UEFA Europa League qualifying match on 17 July 2014, playing in the away match against Dundalk F.C.. Scoring on his debut, he became Hajduk Split's youngest scorer in international competitions, aged 16 years and 9 months, 2 months less than the previous record holder Mario Tičinović. That season, Vlašić went on to make 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals.
On 30 June 2016, Hajduk announced that Vlašić had been appointed vice-captain of the club, with Lovre Kalinić continuing to be the captain. As Kalinić was on extended holidays as a result of being part of the Croatian squad at UEFA Euro 2016, Vlašić captained Hajduk for the first time on 14 July 2016, the season opening fixture; a 2–2 away draw against CS Municipal Studențesc Iași in the second round of the 2016–17 Europa League qualifying phase. Despite his tender age, Vlašić would captain the side four further times that season.
Everton
On 31 August 2017, Vlašić signed a five-year deal with Premier League club Everton for a fee of around £10 million, which is the Hajduk Split record transfer. Vlašić impressed Everton manager Ronald Koeman and director of football Steve Walsh when Everton and Hajduk faced each other in the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League play-off round. Vlašić scored his first goal for Everton on his debut at Goodison Park to put Everton ahead against Apollon Limassol in the Europa League, in the 66th minute on 28 September 2017.CSKA Moscow
On 15 August 2018, Russian club PFC CSKA Moscow announced that Vlašić joined them on loan for the 2018–19 season. On 2 October 2018 Vlašić scored the winning goal against title holders Real Madrid in the 2nd minute in the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League.On 19 June 2019, CSKA announced the signing of Vlašić on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee from Everton. He finished his second season at the club with 13 goals and seven assists, as CSKA finished fourth in the league.
International career
Senior
On 28 May 2017 Vlašić made his debut with Croatia in a friendly match against Mexico after being named in the starting line-up.On 18 November 2018, he provided an assist to Andrej Kramarić in a UEFA Nations League match against England for a 0–1 lead, which Croatia eventually lost 2–1.
On 6 September 2019, he scored his first goal for the senior squad in a Euro 2020 qualifying match against Slovakia for a 0–1 lead. Croatia won the game 0–4. On 13 October 2019, Vlašić scored yet another opening goal in a 1–1 draw with Wales.
Personal life
He is the brother of Croatian athlete Blanka Vlašić.Career statistics
Club
International
International goals
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 6 September 2019 | Anton Malatinský Stadium, Trnava, Slovakia | 6 | 1–0 | 4–0 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification | |
| 2 | 13 October 2019 | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | 9 | 1–0 | 1–1 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification | |
| 3 | 16 November 2019 | Stadion Rujevica, Rijeka, Croatia | 10 | 1–1 | 3–1 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |