Vedran Celjak

Vedran Celjak has spent almost his entire career away from home, building a reputation in the lower reaches of Italian football rather than in Croatia. Born in Zabok, he came through the youth ranks at NK Zagreb before making the move to Sampdoria in 2011. He was sent out on a string of loans — to Pergocrema, Grosseto and Padova — before a loan to Benevento in January 2014 became a permanent deal that summer.

From there his career settled into a pattern of steady, unspectacular service through Serie C and Serie B: a free transfer to Alessandria in 2015, then moves to Sambenedettese and Avellino. He joined Lecco on a free transfer in August 2020. He was made captain there and went on to make more than 140 appearances across two divisions before his contract was mutually terminated in January 2025 — a run of longevity that stands out even in a career built on consistency rather than trophies.

Celjak signed for NK Rudeš as a free agent in June 2025. A right-back by trade, he has never won a major domestic title or cup during his time in Italy. His involvement with the Croatian national team has been confined to the youth ranks, with caps at Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 level, but no call-up to the senior side.