Official: Udinese buy Mlacic, defender who had been close to Inter | OneFootball

Udinese have officially signed Branimir Mlacic from Hajduk Split for a reported fee of €4.5m, just days after he had been on the verge of a move to Inter.

The central defender had been in advanced negotiations with Inter and the two clubs had shaken hands on an agreement last week.

However, he changed his agent and that transformed the situation, as suddenly they could not work out personal terms.

Udinese swoop for Inter target Mlacic

epa11683268 Udinese�s supporters cheer during the Italian Serie A soccer match Udinese Calcio vs Cagliari Calcio at the Friuli – Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, 25 October 2024. EPA-EFE/GABRIELE MENIS

Instead, Mlacic is coming to Serie A for Udinese instead, as on deadline day the deal was completed for a rumoured €4.5m.

The tall teenager turns 19 next month and has put pen to paper on a contract at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine until June 2031.

He has one cap for Croatia at Under-21 level and came up through the Hajduk Split youth academy.

Mlacic was also linked with a possible transfer to Como or Newcastle United before he put pen to paper for the Friulani.