Petar Ratkov Completes Lazio Transfer: “I Already Spoke With Milinkovic-Savic”

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The Laziali

·8 gennaio 2026

Petar Ratkov Completes Lazio Transfer: “I Already Spoke With Milinkovic-Savic”

Lazio have officially announced the signing of Petar Ratkov, who completed a transfer from RB Salzburg.

Petar Ratkov is a New Lazio Player

The Biancocelesti identified the 22-year-old striker as the right profile to replace Taty Castellanos, who completed a transfer to West Ham United on Monday. Lazio announced the move via a statement posted on the club’s official website.

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SS Lazio announces that it has definitively acquired the rights to the contract of footballer Petar Ratkov, arriving from Red Bull Salzburg. The 22-year-old striker has put pen to paper on a long-term contract with SS Lazio after agreeing personal terms and successfully passing a doctor.

While the official note didn’t disclose too many details, previous reports had claimed that the two clubs were negotiating a transfer fee in the region of €13 million. The young bomber had been prolific for Salzburg this season, bagging 12 goals from 29 appearances across all competitions. He reportedly had several suitors across Europe, but the Aquile acted swiftly and decisively to anticipate the competition.

Ratkov Spoke with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic Before Signing for Lazio

The Aquile’s history is filled with Serbian players, who went on to become idols for the supporters, including the late Sinisa Mihajlovic, Dejan Stankovic, and Sergej Milinkovic. Interestingly, the latter spoke with Ratkov before finalizing his transfer, as the young striker revealed in his first interview as a Lazio player (via Alfredopedulla.com).

My first impressions are incredible: I’ve arrived at a truly important club, one of the biggest in Italy. There are great players and a great coach, everything is perfect. I can’t wait to start playing and training. My goals are to stay physically fit, score plenty of goals, help Lazio improve and finish in the top six. Yesterday I spoke with Milinković-Savić. He told me everything here is fantastic, the city is perfect and that I’ve joined a great club — for him, the best in Italy. I was very happy to hear his words.

Ratkov Excited to Work Under Maurizio Sarri

Following Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Fiorentina, Maurizio Sarri admitted he doesn’t know Ratkov, but the player insisted he’s very familiar with the experienced manager.

I haven’t spoken to Mister Sarri yet, but I hope to do so today or tomorrow. He’s an incredible coach and, for a young player, that’s really important. When I was a kid I always watched Serie A — it had the best strikers in the world. I came here to improve my game, my personality and to score a lot of goals. For a young player who wants to grow and score, Serie A is one of the best leagues in the world. I’m a striker with a nose for goal, strong finishing and good tactical intelligence. I like playing with the ball and I’m good in the air — those are my best qualities.

Petar Ratkov (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

The new Lazio centre-forward liked what he saw from the team against Fiorentina, but preferred to bite his tongue to avoid commenting on the controversial refereeing decisions that blighted the evening.

I watched the match against Fiorentina: we played better, but I don’t want to add anything else. Watching the game, I liked our attacking phase and I was already imagining myself in the team.