Leon Jakirović
Country: Croatia
Date of birth: 16/01/2008 (15 years old)
Place of birth: Požega (Croatia)
Height: —
Youth career: NK Sesvete, Dinamo Zagreb (since 2019)
Current club: Dinamo Zagreb
Squad number: —
Current national team: Croatia U-16
Position: central defender, left-back
Preferred foot: left
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: —
Contract until: 18.06.2026
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Jan Vertonghen
Strengths:
– passing 
– anticipation
– positioning
– composure
– ability to read the game
– pace 
– technique
To improve:
– a very complete profile of a centre-back of his age, but still needs to work hard to keep developing and improving some aspects of his game such as starting speed
Style of play:
– complete, dominant, and elegant centre-back
– quite tall player with a decent body mass ratio, who can develop very well physically in the coming years
– very interesting option to play as a left-sided centre-back in a three-man defence system
– can also cover the left-back position if needed
– like to maraud forward with the ball at his feet
– likes to spread play with good long-range diagonals
– good top speed
– perfect for the possession-based style
– able to play in a high-line
– elegant and very comfortable on the ball with an above-average range of passing at all distances/takes a major impact on all of the team’s build-up process
– very good range of passing at all distances
– known for his good confidence in possession, understanding of the game, and an above-average technical capacity
– often leaves the line and makes good interceptions thanks to his anticipation and ability to read the game
– very good composure and retention skills under pressure
– likes to spread play with long-range diagonals
– determined and committed player with a very good rate of individual and collective work
– tactically astute and technically capable of playing in various tactical systems
– accurate tackler, both standing and sliding
– dominant in the air
– usually plays it clean and doesn’t get booked often
– very accomplished and mature for his age
– although it’s still an improvable element of his game, he does not hesitate to use and operates quite comfortably with his weaker right foot
Jakirović reads the game well, anticipates the pass, and wins the ball back.
Jakirović stops a dangerous attack with a superbly timed sliding tackle.
Jakirović stays calm under heavy pressure and plays a very good pass to the midfield.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Central defender in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
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League summary (as for 8 December 2023):
No senior team appearances yet.
Description:
Leon Jakirović joined the famous Dinamo Zagreb youth academy from NK Sesvete in 2019. He is considered to be one of the most talented U17s in Croatia. He is yet another highly talented teenage centre-back from Croatia after the likes of Luka Vušković, Ljubo Puljić, Maro Katinić, Rocco Žiković, and Marino Skelin.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
First team material in a top European league.
Links: