The 2024–25 season was the 79th season in the existence of HNK Rijeka and the club's 34th consecutive season in the top flight of Croatian football. In addition to the domestic league, Rijeka competed in this season's editions of the Croatian Cup, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League.
Season overview
European qualifying and managerial change
Rijeka began their competitive season in the second qualifying round of the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League. After drawing 0–0 away to Corvinul Hunedoara, Rijeka won the return match 1–0 through a goal from Dejan Petrovič, progressing by the same aggregate score. Three days later, they opened their league campaign with a 4–0 home victory over Lokomotiva Zagreb.
On 13 August, head coach Željko Sopić was dismissed despite the team remaining unbeaten through its opening five competitive matches. Assistant coach and former Rijeka player Radomir Đalović was appointed as his replacement, taking charge of a senior team independently for the first time.
Đalović's first match ended in a 2–0 defeat away to Elfsborg, eliminating Rijeka from the Europa League 3–1 on aggregate. The club consequently entered the Conference League play-off round, drawing 1–1 with Olimpija Ljubljana at Rujevica before losing the return match 5–0 in Ljubljana. The 6–1 aggregate defeat brought Rijeka's European campaign to an end on 29 August.
Unbeaten autumn and title race
Rijeka remained unbeaten during the first half of the league season. They recorded nine victories and nine draws in their opening 18 matches, scoring 26 goals and conceding seven. A 2–0 victory over Slaven Belupo on 22 December ensured that Rijeka entered the winter break at the top of the table with 36 points.
The unbeaten league run ended with a 1–0 defeat at Varaždin on 1 February 2025. Rijeka responded later that month with three consecutive away or high-profile victories: 2–0 against Osijek, 4–0 against defending champions Dinamo Zagreb and 3–1 against Hajduk Split in the Croatian Cup quarter-final. The victory over Dinamo returned Rijeka to the top of the league, while Toni Fruk scored twice in the cup victory at Poljud.
Rijeka subsequently defeated Hajduk 3–0 in the league and reached the Croatian Cup final by beating Istra 1961 1–0 through Fruk's 86th-minute goal. Their league form became less consistent during the run-in, including three successive defeats without scoring against Istra 1961, Osijek and Dinamo in April. Nevertheless, results elsewhere allowed Rijeka to remain in contention during a closely contested three-team title race.
Domestic double
Rijeka entered the final league match level with Dinamo on 62 points, while Hajduk remained two points behind. Because Rijeka held the superior head-to-head record against Dinamo, victory over Slaven Belupo at Rujevica would guarantee the championship. Goals from Niko Janković and Fruk secured a 2–0 win and Rijeka's second Croatian league title. They finished level with Dinamo on 65 points but were placed first on the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Four days later, Rijeka completed their second domestic double. Following a 1–1 draw away to Slaven Belupo in the first leg of the Croatian Cup final, Nais Djouahra scored the only goal of the return match at Rujevica. The 2–1 aggregate victory gave Rijeka their seventh Croatian Cup and their first league-and-cup double since 2016–17.
Competitions Overall
SuperSport HNL
League table
Results summary
Results by round
Results by opponent TeamResultsPoints1234Dinamo Zagreb 1–1 0–0 4–0 0–1 5Gorica 1–0 1–0 0–0 2–1 10Hajduk Split 0–0 2–2 3–0 1–2 5Istra 1961 4–0 1–0 0–1 0–2 6Lokomotiva 4–0 2–2 4–1 1–0 10Osijek 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 7Slaven Belupo 0–0 2–0 1–2 2–0 7Šibenik 3–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 10Varaždin 0–0 1–1 0–1 1–0 5 Source: 2024–25 Croatian Football League article
Matches Croatian Football League
Croatian Cup
UEFA Europa League
UEFA Conference League
Friendlies Pre-season
In-season (2024)
Mid-season
In-season (2025)
Player seasonal records Updated 29 May 2025. Competitive matches only.
Goals Rank Name League Europe Cup Total1 Toni Fruk 11 – 4 152 Niko Janković 8 – – 83 Marco Pašalić 4 – 3 74 Naïs Djouahra 4 – 2 65 Franjo Ivanović 3 1 – 46 Duje Čop 3 – – 3 Gabriel Rukavina 3 – – 3 Niko Galešić 2 1 – 3 Stjepan Radeljić 2 – 1 310 Veldin Hodža 2 – – 2 Dejan Petrovič 1 1 – 2 Komnen Andrić 1 – 1 2 Šimun Butić 1 – 1 214 Mladen Devetak 1 – – 1 Luka Menalo 1 – – 1 Lindon Selahi 1 – – 1 Ivan Smolčić 1 – – 1TOTALS4931264 Source: Competitive matches
Clean sheets Rank Name League Europe Cup Total 1 Martin Zlomislić 19 2 3 24 2 Josip Posavec 1 1 – 23 Domagoj Ivan Marić 1 – – 1 Niko Vučetić 1 – – 1TOTALS223328 Source: Competitive matches
Disciplinary record NumberPositionPlayerHNLEuropeCroatian CupTotal1GK Josip Posavec0001000001003DF Bruno Goda1000001002004MF Niko Janković6002001009005DF Niko Galešić3002001006006DF Stjepan Radeljić4101001006107FW Naïs Djouahra1000000001008MF Dejan Petrovič6002000008009FW Komnen Andrić1000000001009FW Duje Čop20000010030010MF Toni Fruk40120000060111FW Gabriel Rukavina20010020050013GK Martin Zlomislić20020000040014MF Amer Gojak50000010060015DF Jovan Manev20000000020017MF Luka Menalo20000021041018MF Lindon Selahi60100000060122DF Ante Oreč30000010040027FW Šimun Butić20000000020028DF Ivan Smolčić40010000050030MF Bruno Bogojević30000000030034DF Mladen Devetak61000010071045DF Ante Majstorović70010010090087MF Marco Pašalić200300100600TOTALS74221800141010632 Source: nk-rijeka.hr
Appearances and goals NumberPositionPlayer Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps GoalsTotalHNLEuropeCroatian Cup1GK Josip Posavec30+00+10+003DF Bruno Goda70+20+00+004MF Niko Janković458+08+00+005DF Niko Galešić233+22+01+005DF Mile Škorić30+00+00+006DF Stjepan Radeljić373+42+00+017FW Naïs Djouahra356+64+20+028MF Dejan Petrovič442+11+01+009FW Komnen Andrić132+41+20+119FW Duje Čop183+53+00+109FW Jorge Obregón20+00+10+0010MF Toni Fruk4515+211+10+0411FW Franjo Ivanović104+03+11+0011FW Gabriel Rukavina403+183+30+4012MF Emmanuel Banda30+10+20+0012GK Niko Vučetić10+00+00+0013GK Martin Zlomislić450+00+00+0014MF Amer Gojak340+200+00+4015DF Jovan Manev70+50+00+0017FW Luka Menalo211+101+00+4018MF Lindon Selahi421+51+40+0020FW Dominik Dogan160+130+00+2021MF Silvio Ilinković190+110+00+5022DF Ante Oreč90+10+00+0024DF Bruno Burčul10+10+00+0025MF Veldin Hodža102+22+00+0025GK Domagoj Ivan Marić10+10+00+0027FW Šimun Butić202+131+30+3128DF Ivan Smolčić241+11+20+0030MF Bruno Bogojević390+170+30+3032DF Marijan Čabraja60+00+00+0034DF Mladen Devetak381+21+00+0037FW Cherno Saho10+10+00+0045DF Ante Majstorović430+10+40+0077FW Stipe Perica80+50+00+1087MF Marco Pašalić277+14+00+03 Source: nk-rijeka.hr
Suspensions Date Incurred Competition Player Games Missed Reason26 Oct 2024HNL Ante Majstorović1 3 Nov 2024HNL Niko Janković 23 Nov 2024HNL Ivan Smolčić 30 Nov 2024HNL Stjepan Radeljić Lindon Selahi15 Dec 2024HNL Mladen Devetak Lindon Selahi Dejan Petrovič 22 Dec 2024HNL Niko Galešić 1 Feb 2025HNL Mladen Devetak Duje Čop Toni Fruk 216 Mar 2025HNL Bruno Bogojević1 6 Apr 2025HNL Amer Gojak 13 Apr 2025HNL Stjepan Radeljić19 Apr 2025HNL Ante Majstorović 27 Apr 2025HNL Toni Fruk Ante Oreč 4 May 2025HNL Mladen Devetak Niko Janković 25 May 2025HNL Dejan Petrovič Lindon Selahi 29 May 2025Cup Luka Menalo
Penalties For Date Competition Player Opposition Scored? 8 Dec 2024HNL Niko JankovićŠibenik 16 Mar 2025HNL Niko JankovićHajduk Split Against Date Competition Goalkeeper Opposition Scored? 1 Aug 2024UEL Josip PosavecCorvinul Hunedoara 22 Aug 2024UCL Martin ZlomislićOlimpija Ljubljana 18 Oct 2024HNL Martin ZlomislićLokomotiva Zagreb 26 Oct 2024HNL Martin ZlomislićVaraždin 18 May 2025HNL Martin ZlomislićHajduk Split
Transfers In DatePos.PlayerMoving fromTypeFeeRef.17 Jun 2024CB Anton Krešić CFR ClujReturn from loan18 Jun 2024CM Silvio Ilinković Zrinjski MostarReturn from loan19 Jun 2024CB Duje Dujmović ŠibenikReturn from loan19 Jun 2024CB Mateo Pavlović RudešReturn from loan19 Jun 2024DM Andro Babić PosušjeReturn from loan19 Jun 2024LW Naïs Djouahra LeganésReturn from loan19 Jun 2024CF Marco Djuricin Spartak TrnavaReturn from loan20 Jun 2024CB Tino Agić OrijentReturn from loan26 Jun 2024GK Josip Posavec AaBTransferFree30 Jun 2024LM Steven Juncaj Michigan Stars FCReturn from loan8 Jul 2024CB Ante Majstorović Istra 1961TransferFree16 Jul 2024LW Gabriel Rukavina Dinamo ZagrebTransferFree2 Aug 2024LB Mladen Devetak PalermoTransferUndisclosed7 Aug 2024CF Komnen Andrić Clermont FootTransferUndisclosed4 Sep 2024CF Stipe Perica Standard LiègeTransferFree5 Sep 2024AM Amer Gojak FerencvárosTransferFree5 Sep 2024CF Dominik Dogan Zrinski Osječko 1664TransferFree9 Jan 2025CB Mile Škorić Tianjin Jinmen TigerTransferFree21 Jan 2025CB Duje Dujmović ŠibenikReturn from loan23 Jan 2025LW Luka Menalo Dinamo ZagrebTransferFree23 Jan 2025CF Niko Gajzler RadomljeReturn from loan23 Jan 2025GK Aleksa Todorović Karlovac 1919Return from loan24 Jan 2025CB Petar Raguž GoricaTransferUndisclosed27 Jan 2025CF Duje Čop Lokomotiva ZagrebTransfer€300,0006 Feb 2025CF Cherno Saho BujeTransferUndisclosed11 Feb 2025CB Jovan Manev Adana DemirsporTransferFree17 Feb 2025LW Dominik Simčić KoperReturn from loan18 Feb 2025RB Ante Oreč Velež MostarTransfer€200,000 Source: Glasilo Hrvatskog nogometnog saveza
Out DatePos.PlayerMoving toTypeFeeRef.11 Jun 2024GK Nediljko Labrović AugsburgTransfer€2,500,00017 Jun 2024CB Anton Krešić CFR ClujTransfer€400,00020 Jun 2024CB Emir DilaverRetirement20 Jun 2024CB Matej Mitrović Al AhliEnd of contractFree30 Jun 2024DM Antonio Galešić OrijentEnd of contractFree30 Jun 2024AM Karlo Valjan OrijentEnd of contractFree30 Jun 2024CF Mirko Marić MonzaEnd of loan1 Jul 2024CB Mateo Pavlović TBCEnd of contractFree1 Jul 2024RB Danilo Veiga Estrela da AmadoraTransferFree3 Jul 2024LM Steven Juncaj Michigan Stars FCReleased (mutual consent)Free3 Jul 2024LW Marko Pjaca Dinamo ZagrebTransfer€1,500,0006 Jul 2024LW Dominik Simčić KoperLoan (until 30/6/2025)12 Jul 2024CF Momo Yansané Torpedo KutaisiReleased (mutual consent)Free18 Jul 2024CF Niko Gajzler RadomljeLoan (until 29/6/2025; option to buy)31 Jul 2024CB Duje Dujmović ŠibenikLoan (until 26/6/2025)1 Aug 2024CB Tino Agić Lokomotiva ZagrebEnd of contractFree1 Aug 2024DM Damjan Pavlović GoricaEnd of contractFree9 Aug 2024CM Strahinja Tešović GrobničanDual registration14 Aug 2024GK David Nwolokor OpatijaDual registration14 Aug 2024LB Noel Bodetić OrijentDual registration14 Aug 2024AM Borna Panić OrijentDual registration14 Aug 2024RW Nikola Medojević OrijentDual registration14 Aug 2024RW Matej Momčilovski OrijentDual registration21 Aug 2024GK Aleksa Todorović Karlovac 1919Loan (until 14/6/2025)23 Aug 2024RB Alen Grgić Slaven BelupoEnd of contractFree29 Aug 2024CF Jorge Obregón Johor Darul Ta'zimTransfer€500,00031 Aug 2024CF Franjo Ivanović Union SGTransfer€4,000,0005 Sep 2024CF Marco Djuricin SV StripfingReleased (mutual consent)Free12 Sep 2024DM Veldin Hodža Rubin KazanTransfer€3,000,00012 Sep 2024CM Emmanuel Banda Al-TaiReleased (mutual consent)Free4 Jan 2025CB Niko Galešić Dinamo ZagrebTransfer€3,000,00023 Jan 2025CF Niko Gajzler RadomljeReleased (mutual consent)Free24 Jan 2025CB Duje Dujmović Zrinjski MostarReleased (mutual consent)Free28 Jan 2025GK Josip Posavec PrimorjeLoan (until 30/6/2025)31 Jan 2025CF Komnen Andrić Lokomotiva ZagrebLoan (until 26/6/2025)2 Feb 2025CF Stipe Perica Dinamo BucureștiReleased (mutual consent)Free3 Feb 2025RB Ivan Smolčić ComoTransfer€1,600,0005 Feb 2025RW Marco Pašalić Orlando CityTransfer€4,800,0007 Feb 2025LB Marijan Čabraja TBCReleased (mutual consent)Free13 Feb 2025CB Bruno Burčul OpatijaDual registration13 Feb 2025DM Andro Babić OpatijaDual registration14 Feb 2025RW Matej Momčilovski Brinje GrosupljeLoan (until 30/6/2025)17 Feb 2025GK Domagoj Ivan Marić Karlovac 1919Loan (until 26/6/2025)17 Feb 2025LW Dominik Simčić BSK Bijelo BrdoLoan (until 30/6/2025) Source: Glasilo Hrvatskog nogometnog saveza
Spending: €500,000 Income: €21,300,000