Denis Kolinger (born 14 January 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Super League club Persija Jakarta. 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.Volio bih igrati za Njemačku, ali znam da bi to bilo teško pa sam izabrao Hrvatsku at Večernji List 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.Denis Kolinger iz Zagreba prešao u Lokomotivu at Večernji List
On 15 January 2021, Kolinger moved to Danish Superliga club Vejle Boldklub on a three-year deal.Vejle Boldklub forstærker med købet af kroatisk forsvarskriger , vejle-boldklub.dk, 15 January 2021 In August 2024, Kolinger's contract was terminated by mutual agreement.Vejle Boldklub ophæver med Denis Kolinger, vejle-boldklub.dk, 20 August 2024
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.Denis Kolinger: Srce me vuče prema Njemačkoj at Goal.com Croatia] 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.Volio bih igrati za Njemačku, ali znam da bi to bilo teško pa sam izabrao Hrvatsku at Večernji List
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.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsNK Zagreb2011-121. HNL1000——102012-131. HNL15000——1502013-142. HNL31020——3302014-151. HNL30200——3022015-161. HNL25020——270Total102240——1062Lokomotiva Zagreb2016-171. HNL2103000—2402017-181. HNL30341——3442018-191. HNL33030——3602019-201. HNL32250——3722020-211 HNL1202020—160Total128517120—1476Vejle2020-21Danish Superliga18120——2012021-22Danish Superliga29171——3622023-24Danish Superliga 19020——2102024-25Danish Superliga2000——20Total682111——793CFR Cluj (loan)2022-23Liga I211208011322Lokomotiva Zagreb 2024-25HNL13020——150Career total332103621001137913
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsCroatia201710Total10
Honours NK Zagreb 2. NL: 2013–14
Lokomotiva Zagreb Croatian Cup runner-up: 2019–20
CFR Cluj Supercupa României runner-up: 2022
References
External links