Josip Mišić and GNK Dinamo have reached an agreement to extend their cooperation until the summer of 2029, ensuring that this experienced defensive midfielder and current team captain remains a key figure in the Maksimir squad for upcoming domestic and European challenges.
This contract extension is of great importance to both parties, and a closer look reveals how significant this move is for the club’s strategic planning, pitch continuity, and the development of younger players within Dinamo’s system.
Primarily, Dinamo gains stability and certainty in the midfield. Mišić has been an indispensable engine of the team for several seasons, a player the coach and teammates can always rely on in crucial moments, both defensively and in organizing the attack. His experience, composure in duels, and ability to dictate the pace of the game are reasons why fans and the coaching staff regard him as an irreplaceable link. Statistics confirm his importance – with Mišić in the starting lineup, Dinamo achieves superior results, and his absence often noticeably impacts performance and results.
For Mišić himself, the contract extension means continuing his career in an environment that values his role, grants him the necessary freedom and responsibility, and provides the opportunity to finish his playing career at the club where he earned the captain’s armband. Moreover, Mišić gains a clear chance to mentor younger players and introduce them to professional standards, leaving a recognizable mark through the transfer of experience and professionalism. This is both recognition of his quality and a reward for his loyalty and consistency.
Considering Dinamo’s extensive pool of midfielders—ranging from experienced first-team players like Ljubičić, Villar, and Solda, to young talents such as Stojković and Kačavenda—it is clear that competition exists and there is healthy rivalry for playing time. However, Mišić remains the first choice for the crucial defensive midfield position thanks to his tactical knowledge, calmness under pressure, and excellent physical conditioning. This explains why several coaches over the years have relied heavily on him, sometimes even risking overuse. Still, the club’s new sporting policy and additions like Bakrar, as well as a possible return of Zajc, suggest that Mišić will have opportunities to play in a controlled rhythm, share responsibilities, and help affirm his successors as long as he remains in complete form.
This contract signing comes at a sensitive moment following the departures of several key players—Ademi, Petković, and Ristovski—and carries strategic weight for Dinamo. The club thus secures continuity of leadership in the locker room, avoids potential turbulence that could arise from losing another prominent figure, and gains a clear leader during its generational transition. Beyond emotional and tactical stability, Dinamo obtains a player and character foundation around which it can build its future.
The benefit of this move also lies in the message it sends to fans and the public: Dinamo is not a club that relies solely on transfers, but one that preserves its identity, appreciates the value of its leaders, and thinks strategically about long-term success. Josip Mišić’s signing completes this message and restores optimism at Maksimir, as both club and player enter a new cycle with the ambition of winning new trophies together.
Josip is one of Dinamo’s key players, a leader both on and off the field. His dedication, experience, and quality are unquestionably important for our team, and the continuation of our collaboration is a confirmation of our shared ambition and trust.
