Nikola Katić (; born 10 October 1996) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Bundesliga club Schalke 04 and the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
Katić started his professional career at HNK Stolac, before joining Neretvanac Opuzen in 2014. Two years later he switched to Slaven Belupo. In 2018, he moved to Rangers, who loaned him to Hajduk Split in 2021. The following year, Katić signed with Zürich, who sent him on loan to Plymouth Argyle in 2025. Later that year, he was transferred to Schalke 04.
A former Croatian youth international, Katić also made his senior international debut for Croatia, before switching his allegiance to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2024, earning over 20 caps since. He represented the nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Club career
Early career Katić came through the youth setup of HNK Stolac, which he joined in 2001. He made his professional debut in 2013 at the age of 16, before moving to Croatian team Neretvanac Opuzen in March 2014.
In December 2015, he switched to Slaven Belupo. On 7 May 2017, he scored his first professional goal in a triumph over Istra 1961.
Rangers In June 2018, Katić was transferred to Scottish side Rangers for an undisclosed fee. He made his official debut for the club in a UEFA Europa League qualifier against Shkupi on 12 July. On 2 August, he scored his first goal for Rangers in a UEFA Europa League qualifier against Osijek. A week later, he made his league debut against Aberdeen. On 20 April 2019, he scored his first league goal for the team in a defeat of Hearts.
In October 2019, Katić signed a new four-year deal with the squad.
In July 2020, he suffered a severe knee injury, which was diagnosed as an anterior cruciate ligament tear and was ruled out for at least six months. Over a year after the injury, on 24 July 2021, he returned to the pitch.
He won his first trophy with the club on 7 March 2021, when they were crowned league champions.
Loan to Hajduk Split In August 2021, he was sent on a season-long loan to Hajduk Split.
Zürich In August 2022, Katić moved to Swiss outfit Zürich on a three-year contract. He made his competitive debut for the side in a UEFA Europa League game against PSV on 6 October. A week later, he made his league debut against Winterthur. On 13 November 2022, he scored his first goal for Zürich in a victory over Servette.
In October 2023, Katić extended his deal with the team until June 2026.
Loan to Plymouth Argyle In January 2025, he was loaned to English club Plymouth Argyle until the end of the season.
On 9 February 2025, Katić played in Plymouth Argyle 1–0 win against Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round. At the time, Plymouth was bottom of the Championship while Liverpool led the Premier League. Katić lost a tooth during the match.
Schalke 04 In July 2025, Katić joined German side Schalke 04 on a contract until June 2028.
He debuted officially for the squad on 1 August against Hertha BSC, managed to score a goal and get sent off.
International career After representing Croatia at the under-21 level, Katić made his senior international debut in a friendly game against Mexico on 28 May 2017. However, in April 2024, he decided that he would play for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the future.
In May, his request to change sports citizenship from Croatian to Bosnian was approved by FIFA. Later that month, he received his first senior call-up, for friendly games against England and Italy. He debuted against the former on 3 June.
In June 2026, Katić was named in Bosnia and Herzegovina's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He made his tournament debut during the opening group fixture against Canada on 12 June.
Personal life Katić is an ethnic Croat. He is a cousin of the Bosnian Croat politician Darijana Filipović.
Career statistics Club
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsNeretvanac Opuzen2014–15Croatian Second League142———1422015–16Croatian Second League150———150Total292———292Slaven Belupo2015–16Croatian Football League1000——102016–17Croatian Football League29131——3222017–18Croatian Football League35021——371Total65152——703Rangers2018–19Scottish Premiership1811021913032019–20Scottish Premiership1921010812932020–21Scottish Premiership0000000000Total3732031172596Hajduk Split (loan)2021–22Croatian Football League21040——250Zürich2022–23Swiss Super League22100—402612023–24Swiss Super League34410——3542024–25Swiss Super League18230—40252Total74740—80867Plymouth Argyle (loan)2024–25Championship15120——171Schalke 042025–262. Bundesliga26120——2812026–27Bundesliga4010——50Total30130——331Career total271152023125231920
International
+Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsCroatia201710Bosnia and Herzegovina2024602025712026121Total252Career total262
Scores and results list Bosnia and Herzegovina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Katić goal. +List of international goals scored by Nikola KatićNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition19 October 2025AEK Arena – Georgios Karapatakis, Larnaca, Cyprus111–02–22026 FIFA World Cup qualification26 June 2026Energizer Park, St. Louis, United States171–01–1Friendly
Honours Rangers Scottish Premiership: 2020–21
Hajduk Split Croatian Cup: 2021–22
Schalke 04 2. Bundesliga: 2025–26
References
External links
Profile at the Schalke 04 website