Denis Kolinger

Denis Kolinger (born 14 January 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Danish Superliga side Vejle. Born in Germany, he has represented the Croatia national team.

Club career
Kolinger was born in Malsch, Germany where his parents were working before they returned to Stankovo in Croatia when he was three months old. He started out at NK Jaska in nearby Jastrebarsko, moving on to the NK Zagreb academy at the age of 13. He went through all the ranks of the club, debuting for the senior side in the 2011/12 season, becoming a first-team regular in the following season. After NK Zagreb was relegated after the 2015/16 season, Kolinger moved to NK Lokomotiva, signing a four-year contract.

On 15 January 2021, Kolinger moved to Danish Superliga club Vejle Boldklub on a three-year deal.

International career
A Croatian youth international in U16, U17, U18 and U19 categories, Kolinger refused a call-up to the Croatia U21 national football team under Nenad Gračan in August 2014 claiming that he wanted to play for Germany, that he feels he is a German rather than a Croat and is therefore willing to take the chance and seek out German nationality, which he could since it is the country of his birth. However, in early 2015 he changed his mind, claiming that he realized it would be too hard for him to join the Germany U21 national football team and since March 2015 rejoined the Croatia U21 team.

He made his senior debut for Croatia in a May 2017 friendly match against Mexico, coming on as a 71st-minute substitute for Fran Tudor.

Honours
NK Zagreb
 * 2. NL: 2013–14

Lokomotiva Zagreb
 * Croatian Cup runner-up: 2019–20

CFR Cluj
 * Supercupa României runner-up: 2022