Luka Topalović (born 23 February 2006) is a Slovenian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Inter Milan.

Luka Topalović
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-02-23) 23 February 2006 (age 18)
Place of birth Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia[1]
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Inter Milan
Youth career
Korotan Prevalje[1]
0000–2019 Maribor
2019–2020 Bistrica
2020–2023 Domžale
2024– Inter Milan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2024 Domžale 47 (3)
2024– Inter Milan 0 (0)
International career
2021–2022 Slovenia U16 6 (0)
2022–2023 Slovenia U17 11 (3)
2023– Slovenia U19 16 (6)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20 May 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19 November 2024

In October 2023, The Guardian has listed Topalović among the top 60 best young talents born in 2006 in world football.[3][4]

Club career

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Domžale

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Following his performances for Domžale's under-17 team, Topalović made his professional debut for the club in May 2022, aged 16 years and two months.[5] In March 2023, he extended his contract with the club until 2026.[6] On 28 April 2023, Topalović scored his first senior goal in a 1–1 league draw with Gorica.[7] In the occasion, he became the youngest goalscorer of the season.[8]

During the 2023–24 season, Topalović established himself as a regular starter for Domžale,[5][9] scoring two goals and four assists in 37 matches in all competitions.[9][10]

Inter Milan

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On 3 July 2024, Topalović was registered as a new player of Serie A side Inter Milan on the Lega Serie A's transfer portal;[9][11] the deal was publicly announced on 8 July, as the player joined the Italian club on a permanent basis.[12][13] The transfer allegedly commanded a fee in the region of €1–2 million.[10][14] He was initially assigned to Inter's under-20 squad.[9]

International career

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Due to his origins, Topalović is eligible to represent Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina internationally.[15]

He has represented Slovenia from under-16 to under-19 level.[13][16]

Personal life

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Topalović was born in Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia[1] to Bosnian Croat parents, originally from Kotor Varoš.[15]

Career statistics

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As of 21 May 2024.[17]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Domžale 2021–22 Slovenian PrvaLiga 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2022–23 10 1 1 0 0 0 11 1
2023–24 35 2 1 0 2[b] 0 38 2
Total 47 3 2 0 2 0 51 3
Career total 47 3 2 0 2 0 51 3

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Mladi upi – Luka Topalović (Domžale): Korošec, ki se je kalil pri Mariboru, nato pa pri šestnajstih zamenjal Senijada Ibričića". Planet Nogomet (in Slovenian). 8 March 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Profile Luka Topalović, Domžale: Info, news, matches and statistics". besoccer.com. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  3. ^ Christenson, Marcus; Bloor, Steven; Blight, Garry (11 October 2023). "Next Generation 2023: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  4. ^ "17-year-old prodigy Luka Topalović earns spot in Guardian's prestigious Next Gen list". Nogomania. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b Nava, Matteo (12 June 2024). "Colpo giovane dell'Inter: a un passo la stellina slovena Topalovic, 18 anni". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Pripravljena na razvoj in prestop v boljši klub: Luka Topalović in Emir Saitoski sta podpisala" [Ready for development and transfer to a better club: Luka Topalović and Emir Saitoski have signed]. Nogomania (in Slovenian). 1 March 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Prevaljčan Luka Topalović je včeraj prvič zadel v 1. SNL" [Yesterday, Luka Topalović from Prevalje scored his first goal in the 1. SNL]. e-koroska.si (in Slovenian). 29 April 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  8. ^ Ranc, Tomaž (10 May 2023). "(INTERVJU) Najmlajši strelec prve lige Luka Topalović: Mami nisem smel nabijati premočno". Večer (in Slovenian). Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d "Ora è anche ufficiale, Topalovic è un nuovo giocatore dell'Inter. Contratto depositato". Tuttomercatoweb.com (in Italian). 3 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  10. ^ a b "I migliori giocatori del 2006 per il Guardian: l'Inter annuncia Topalovic". Sky Sport (in Italian). 8 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Inter dokončno deponiral pogodbo na Lega Calcio: Luka Topalović zdaj čaka le še na uradno fotografiranje v dresu Milančanov". Planet Nogomet (in Slovenian). 4 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Luka Topalović è un nuovo giocatore dell'Inter". Inter Milan (in Italian). 8 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  13. ^ a b "'Znova nam je uspel milijonski prestop.' Topalović iz Domžal k Interju". RTV Slovenija (in Slovenian). 8 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Veliki talent Luka Topalović očitno ni mogel reči ne! Po sezoni v prvi ligi zdaj pred prestopom v velik klub, kjer bo težko igral". Nogomania (in Slovenian). 13 June 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Will Slovenia have to fight for the hot guy from Domžale? BiH claims Luka Topalovic is also a wish of two other national teams". Planet Nogomet. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  16. ^ Luka Topalović at WorldFootball.net
  17. ^ Luka Topalović at Soccerway
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