Squad changes for Zagreb

Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb's management will have a serious challenge to find adequate substitutions for seven players, who have left the club during summer break.

Both goalkeepers Marin Šego and Ivan Pešić have departed from the team.

Šego will try to retain his VELUX EHF Champions League success with Polish runner-up, Orlen Wisla Plock. Orlen Wisla Plock will compete in the 'Wild Card' tournament alongside HSV Handball, Saint Raphael and BSV Silkeborg.

Ivan Pešić makes his way to Maribor Branik in the Slovenian League.

Alongside the two goalkeepers, two of three left wings left the Croatian champion.

Manuel Štrlek has signed a contract with Polish champion, Vive Targi Kielce, while Ljubo Vukić goes to Belarusian runners-up, Meshkov Brest.

One of the tallest players in European handball, right back, Marko Kopljar joins the ambitious project of Paris Handball.

Defensive specialist, Jakov Gojun will replace Didier Dinart in BM Atletico Madrid.

The "Handball Mozart", Ivano Balić is now out of the contract and after four seasons in Zagreb, the legendary playmaker is free to do what he pleases for the coming season.

Two new faces in Zagreb

Despite the departures, Zagreb sees two newcomers arrive in the capital: Bojan Skoko and Ivan Stevanović.

The experienced Serbian line player, Skoko is coming from Slovenian Cimos Koper.

Skoko started his professional career  in RK Partizan Belgrade and subsequently gathered his first international experience with the Swiss outfit Kadetten Schaffhausen.

“I am very proud to have opportunity to play with a club like C.O Zagreb. The Croatian champions are one of the best teams in this part of Europe.

"I have no doubt about my decision. I will be playing a more defensive role,” commented Skoko.

Goalkeeper Ivan Stevanović is coming from Croatian team, RK Zamet Rijeka.

He is considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in the Croatian Premier League. He will try to become a useful addition to Slavko Goluža's squad.