Velimir Zajec: Player, coach, president - legend

Our former celebrated captain and coach, a true icon of the Maksimir club, Velimir Zajec, concluded his term as president of GNK Dinamo this Tuesday. Since March of last year, he has held this responsible and honorable position, and will, of course, remain closely connected to the club in the future - now in the role of honorary president of GNK Dinamo.

The club sincerely thanks Mr. Zajec for his great commitment and contribution to the creation of a new, democratic structure of the club. As one of the leaders of the "Dinamo Spring" project, he made an outstanding contribution to the process of democratization and thus further solidified his place in the history of GNK Dinamo.

He has been associated with Dinamo for over half a century, ever since he stepped into our football school in his childhood days in 1970. He made his debut for the first team in December 1974 as an 18-year-old and over the next almost 10 years he made a total of 485 appearances. Shortly after ending his playing career, at just 33 years old, he moved to the club offices and in 1989 took on the role of technical director.

Throughout various periods and mandates, he has also been a sports and general director, first team coach, and ultimately the club president.

In this way, Velimir Zajec has written a unique historical opus in GNK Dinamo - from a talented boy from the Maksimir school, through captain, playing legend and coach, to the president of the club. Now, as honorary president, he will continue to follow and support his Dinamo.

Dear Zeko, on behalf of the entire Dinamo family, thank you for your dedication, effort, and love that you have invested in the key days of democratization of the club. We look forward to continuing our journey together and to new great successes of our Dinamo.