Former Široki Brijeg and Zrinjski player Ilija Mašić continues his career in Romania. CFR Cluj, his new club, presented him on Sunday on their official website.
This 26-year-old defender was born in Tomislavgrad. He started his professional career in Široki Brijeg in which he played 97 games, scoring three goals. He joined Zrinjski from NK Lokomotiv at the end of the summer transfer window in 2024, and in the shirt with the ribbon he collected a total of 40 official appearances.
After the transfer to a new club, for the portal Jabuka.tv he revealed how the new engagement came about and talked about the Zrinjski team, as well as expectations for the rest of the season.
The transfer happened quickly, in two days we have arranged everything. Apart from Cluj, there were a couple of other good optionsbut when Cluj appeared, the decision was easy, said Mašić for the readers of the portal Jabuka.tv upon signing the contract.
Behind him and now his former teammates is a demanding half-season. Zrinjski achieved historic success winning the “European spring”, but playing in the heavy rhythm of Thursday-Sunday matches often leaves consequences for the players themselves. From his perspective, Mašić revealed what it was like for him to play in a shirt with a ribbon.
Honestly, a great experience. The rhythm suited me. Mentally switching from the Conference League to the domestic one is very individual, but we have it great group of guys and a large width that did not give anyone the right to “brake”. Apart from two or three games, I think we are superbly followed the rhythm of two games weeklyhe added.
When asked about his impressions of HŠK Zrinjski Mostar, he gives a short answer:
Zrinjski has a special, winning mentality.
However, he can single out one match as his favorite, and he explained why.
The last match in the Zrinjski jersey, which we achieved a historic spring, is perhaps the most favorite. The burden of the whole half-season he stopped in the last two games and we passed collectively.
CFR Cluj after the first half-season is on 11th place in the Superligaand the 193 cm tall defender believes that they finished the half-season below its standard and they want to get back into the race for the top as soon as possible.
He also answered the question of how familiar he is with the new league in which he will play.
My first conversation with the president and director of the club was Fr to Mateo Sušić well, just about me, here I also answer the question of who told me about Cluj and the Romanian league. I have a couple of friends who played in Romania, the league is well covered by the media, and CFR Cluj’s ambitions are the highest possible, said Ilija Masic for Jabuka.tv.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: CFR Cluj)
