NK Osijek signs veteran left‑back Marcel Heister

Marcel Heister, a 30‑year‑old defender with extensive experience in Europe, has joined Croatian club NK Osijek on a one‑year contract with an option to extend for a second season. He signed after a brief negotiation period and will be immediately available to the coaching staff. Heister previously featured in the German youth systems of Reutlingen and Hoffenheim II before moving to Hungarian clubs Ferencváros, Fehérvár and Videoton. He also played for Beitar Jerusalem and Ludogorets, and participated in the UEFA Champions League group stage with Ferencváros against Barcelona, Juventus and Dinamo Kyiv, as well as the Europa League group stage. In Croatia he amassed 176 appearances in the SuperSport HNL and the Croatian Cup, including a spell at Zadar. The left‑back described Osijek’s project as aligned with his style of aggressive, attacking football and expressed eagerness to help younger players develop, noting the club’s “big weight” in the league and its potential for greater achievements.