Nikola Soldo

Nikola Soldo (born 25 January 2001) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a defender for German club 1. FC Köln.

Club career
He began his career in the Dinamo Zagreb youth system, joining the club in 2008 during his father Zvonimir's managerial spell with the first team. He was recognized as a promising talent, even before his teenage years. He bounced around with several clubs before settling at Inter Zaprešić in 2015.

Soldo made his professional debut on 16 August 2019 as a member of the starting lineup during a 2–1 loss to Dinamo Zagreb. Three months later, he scored his first goal in the final minutes of a defeat to Rijeka. On 1 September 2022, the last day of the German transfer window, Soldo was transferred to Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln. He signed a contract until 2025 with the club.

On 16 August 2023, Soldo moved on loan to 1. FC Kaiserslautern in 2. Bundesliga.

Personal life
His father Zvonimir was a long-time member of the Croatia national team, notably playing at the UEFA Euro 1996, and the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. At the club level, he played with Dinamo Zagreb, Zadar and Inter Zaprešić in his native country before finishing his career with a ten-year spell at VfB Stuttgart. Nikola was born in Stuttgart in 2001, midway through his father's fifth season in Germany.

His older brothers, Matija and Filip, are footballers as well, with Filip currently representing Inter Zaprešić.