Romano: "Major verlässt die Bundesliga in einem unerwarteten Transfer".

Croatian midfielder Lovro Majer has confirmed he is leaving Bundesliga club Wolfsburg to join Greek side AEK Athens. According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the two clubs have reached a verbal agreement on the transfer. The deal involves a buyout fee exceeding six million euros, with Majer set to travel to Athens this week for medical examinations and to finalize his contract with the Greek club. The move comes after several months of speculation surrounding the player's future. The transfer was initially linked with Greek clubs earlier this year, with Olympiakos reportedly showing interest in Majer before AEK moved swiftly to secure the deal. AEK finished second behind Olympiakos in last season’s Greek league, which may have motivated them to act quickly in negotiations with Wolfsburg. Majer arrived in Germany in the summer of 2023 from French club Rennes for a transfer fee of 25 million euros, making him the third-most expensive signing in Wolfsburg’s history at the time. Despite high expectations, Majer struggled to fully justify his price tag during his two seasons in the Bundesliga. He made 75 appearances for Wolfsburg, scoring ten goals and providing 11 assists, but his performances were occasionally hampered by injuries, particularly to his ankle. This season, Wolfsburg had been willing to sell him for significantly less than the 25 million euros they originally paid for him. Earlier reports suggested a potential sale range between ten and twelve million euros, but the final figure appears to be lower than anticipated. Interest in Majer extended beyond Greece, with clubs such as Napoli, Como, Ajax, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Villarreal previously linked with the player. However, none of these options materialized into concrete agreements. His departure from Wolfsburg marks the end of a chapter that began with a high-profile transfer from Rennes in 2023, where he joined for 12 million euros before moving to Germany. For Croatia, Majer has made 38 appearances, scoring nine goals. Before joining Wolfsburg, he played for Dinamo Zagreb, where he was part of the squad that won the Croatian league title in 2021. He made his debut for the national team in 2021 and was a key member of the squad that secured silver at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He also participated in the 2024 European Championship and featured in friendly matches against Colombia and Brazil in June, though he did not make the final cut for the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to Transfermarkt, Majer’s current market value is estimated at eight million euros. Prior to his move to France and Germany, he played for Lokomotiv Sofia and Dinamo Zagreb. With AEK, he is expected to sign a four-year contract, marking a new phase in his career abroad. Majer’s move to AEK follows a period of uncertainty regarding his future, with multiple clubs expressing interest. However, the Greek club managed to outpace their rivals in securing the deal. The transfer highlights the ongoing movement of players within European football, with clubs continuously seeking talent to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season. AEK’s decision to pursue Majer reflects their ambition to bolster their midfield capabilities following their recent league campaign. The club’s management likely viewed the acquisition as an opportunity to enhance their competitive edge in the Greek Super League, especially given their proximity to Olympiakos in last season’s standings. With the transfer now nearing completion, attention turns to how Majer will adapt to life in Athens and whether he can replicate the success he achieved in previous clubs. His performance in the coming months will be crucial in determining the impact of this move on both his personal career and AEK’s ambitions for the upcoming season. Majer is scheduled to undergo medical tests in the near future, confirming the official nature of the transfer once all formalities are completed. This step-by-step process ensures that both clubs meet all necessary requirements before officially announcing the deal to the public.