SC Paderborn secure Croatian winger Gabriel Vidović for reported club-record fee

Newly promoted Bundesliga side SC Paderborn have announced the signing of Croatian winger Gabriel Vidović from Dinamo Zagreb. The 22-year-old joins the club on a permanent deal, representing his third attempt to secure a place in the German top division after previous stints with Bayern Munich and loan spells elsewhere.

The transfer is reported to have cost a club-record fee, with figures varying between sources. Croatia’s Sportske Novosti cite a sum of three million euros, while Sky reports the deal as two million euros plus one million in bonuses. The exact terms have not yet been officially confirmed by the clubs involved.

Vidović’s journey in Germany began in 2022 when he made his debut for Bayern Munich under head coach Julian Nagelsmann. Despite early praise for his spatial awareness and running, the winger never truly managed to establish himself in the first team. He made 22 appearances for the record champions before leaving the club, having reportedly been underchallenged in the Regionalliga with Bayern’s second team.

Following several loan spells, including at Vitesse Arnhem and a brief period at Mainz 05, Vidović moved permanently to Dinamo Zagreb last summer. His time in Croatia has been significantly more productive, with the player recording 22 goal contributions in 54 league matches across two seasons. This includes 12 goal contributions in 27 league matches last season and 10 in 27 games during his loan spell in the 2023/24 season.

Paderborn managing director Sebastian Lange described the new signing as versatile and technically top-class, highlighting his strengths in dribbling and finishing. "His career so far speaks for itself," Lange said. Nagelsmann had previously noted similar qualities, praising the youngster’s spatial awareness while acknowledging that he sometimes held on to the ball too long.

The signing represents a significant investment for Paderborn, who are looking to bolster their squad for their return to the Bundesliga. Vidović’s ability to contribute to goals in the Croatian league suggests he may have found the stability required to translate his talent into consistent top-flight performance.