Technical / Tactical (3.5/5)

• Hajduk Split typically line up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation where Niko Sigur plays either Right-Back in the back four, RDM in the 4-2-3-1 formation or RCM in a 4-3-3. Currently playing in a possession-based side (they ended the season averaging 54.7% possession playing 345.7 accurate passes). With Niko Sigur playing 33 games (started 31), he’s contributed to Hajduk Splits 16 clean sheets (3rd most in the league - 9 clean sheets with him playing).

  

• At Right-Back, Niko is often positioned centrally as an inverted full-back would. On 27/04/2024 against NK Rudeš, this allowed the RCM Rokas Pukštas (another great talent) to push extremely high and support the attackers. Rokas Pukštas went on to score two goals in that game, taking advantage of the freedom to join the attackers. In the system, this left Niko Sigur to operate as the RDM during a 3-2 build-up from Hajduk Split. This plan not only potentially maximises Josip Brekalo's strong 1v1 ability, but also showcases Niko Sigur’s maturity and security in possession.

  

• At RCM, his possession role remains fairly similar. Niko Sigur isn’t a midfielder who’s going to constantly make bursting runs forward to get into the box and join attacks. He serves as a ‘rest defence’ a lot of times in possession as he’s able to immediately press and delay counter-attacks should Hajduk Split lose possession. He often links play from the first-phase contributors to attacking players.

• Ground Duels (4/5) - Niko really shines in this area and his data backs this up. According to SofaScore, he wins 4.1 ground duels per 90 with a 59% completion rate.

• Tackling (4/5) - A good tackler often wins possession for his side. He’s ranked 6th (SofaScore) with completed tackles (61) in the Croatian top tier, completing the most tackles for his side. Further backing up his tenacity and determination on the pitch.

• Passing Ability (3.5/5) - Niko is an assured ball passer. Dictating the tempo. His passing selection tends to be short and secure, keeping the ball in circulation for Hajduk Split. There is potential to be more consistent with his passing security when playing in midfield - there are multiple games where his success rate drops considerably from his average. He’s currently averaging 34.7 passes per game with an 85% completion rate. In his own half, further backing up his security in possession has a 90% completion rate.

• Passing Potential - Something to note is that Niko Sigur has the potential to play more expressive passes. He has shown on occasion he can play a lofted/long-range pass, line-breaking passes and defence-splitting passes but due to his role within the team, it’s rare he attempts this. But he has the potential, vision and technical ability to play these passes often to good effect. He currently attempts 2.8 long passes per game with a 63% completion rate. Though, long-range passing isn’t exactly a strength, but something to note to be worked on.

• Ball Control (3.5/5) - Niko Sigur is happy with the ball at his feet and in moments, has demonstrated good ball skills and intelligence. He’s able to get out of tight situations using ball skills - moments where he’s been brave to play the ball through the opponent's legs to get a move into space. Room for improvements when trapping the ball.

• Weaker Foot (3.5/5) - He’s right-footed but his weaker foot isn’t a hindrance. He’s showcased his ability to play and receive on his weaker foot which enables him to receive from different angles.
• Dribbling (3.5/5) - Something to note is his ability and potential to dribble past an opponent to open up space. The ability is there and on the rare occasions he does look to beat a player, because of his good ball skills he is successful. He completes 76% of his dribbles, completing 0.8 per 90 which isn’t particularly low for his role. But in the context of games, he rarely uses this as an advantage - to move into open space. Potential for him to be smoother when in control off the ball and sometimes the ball can run away from him.
• Ground Duels Technique (2.5/5) - Despite his ground duels being a strength of his, he’s often approaching his opponent at 100% rather than carefully closing a passing lane and making sure he has a good shadow. Higher-quality opposition may be able to play better combinations around him. But this is in moments, especially when the opposition is on the counterattack.
• Interceptions (2.5/5) - I believe Niko Sigur can grow in this area, to read the game and break play up without going into a duel/tackling. There are moments he could position himself slightly better OOP to cut out the opposition's attack. This is something to note and not a weakness. There is certainly potential for him to improve in this area.

Psychological (3.5/5)

• Versatility - Niko has shown he’s able to perform in different positions to a good standard but is also willing to both play and improve in different positions. We’ve spoken on how he’s been used as a RB, RDM and RCM - though there has been the very rare occasion he’s played LB showing the level of trust shown in him by his Head Coach.
• Courage - When looking to resist a press, it takes courage, especially for a 20-year-old. Shows a level of self-confidence and belief in his own ability to not lose possession.
• Football IQ - The ability to read the game, anticipate the next move and apply the action needed. Playing as an inverted fullback to a good level requires one to understand the role and responsibility. Niko Sigur reads situations well to know when to invert and show support in midfield or when to stay wide.
• Always Looking - Great midfielders tend to scan a lot so they are aware of their surroundings and able to picture their next move and Niko is no different. Constantly scans and adjusts his positioning to place himself in better positions to receive the ball but also to plan his next move.
• Assertive and Determined - You can see he looks to assert himself on the pitch in his duels. He doesn’t do things half-heartedly and plays with high determination.
• Composure - The 20-year-old certainly has a high level of composure, always wanting the ball regardless if he is under pressure or not.
• Decision Making - Through experience, Niko Sigur can greatly improve in this area. This is less so about his decision-making with passing selection. But to think about how his decision to go for a certain type of action has an effect on the team structure. For example, against Istra, a couple of times he went for a slide tackle when it wasn’t necessary and the potential for Hajduk Split to be exposed was there. This area can be ironed out and is not a weakness, but something to note.
• Discipline - An area to improve would be his discipline which also ties in with his decision-making. Niko has received 6 bookings this season and has given away 1.3 fouls per game but not down to bad timing in tackles but more so being cynical.
• Over Zealous - As you can see below, straight from kick-off Niko Sigur went to press with 100% intensity and was easily beaten.

Physical (4/5)

• Niko Sigur is 180cm tall (5’9’’) and has a Mesomorph body type. This ties in with his good agility, and ability to chop and change directions. But if needed, also the ability to quickly gain weight/muscle/strength.
• As pointed out by Stipe Pletikosa, Niko Sigur has the physical chrematistics to be a potential Croatia nation team player.
• Intensity in actions - One reason I believe Niko Sigur will be able to test himself to play in a more physically intense league is the aggression and intensity he shows within his pressing actions. His tenacity is also what makes him successful in his ground duels.
• Mobility - When playing in midfield, he showcases his engine. He shows good stamina and agility to constantly change directions and keep up his intense pressure when pressing/closing down opponents.
• Speed - As well as good game-reading skills, he also has the speed to press effectively and be a good ball-winner in midfield.
• Aerial Duels - Niko Sigur isn’t particularly strong in his jumping reach but his data doesn’t suggest this. He wins 52% of his 0.7 duels in the air but this number can drop should he go to a more “physical” league - He can handle the physical competitiveness with ground duels.
• Strength - This is an area for Niko to grow, should he look to play in a T5 league as an example. This is where I envision his distant future.

Social (4/5)

• Adaptability on the pitch - Due to Niko Sigur’s quick rise to Croatian 1st tier football, he’s had to adapt quickly to the intensity and technical level fairly quickly. Not only that, he is by nature a central midfielder but Niko got his debut due to Hajduk Split having both their Right-Backs injured. Nike Sigur got his Hajduk Split debut filling in at Right-Back and adjusted to the role extremely well.
• Environment Adaptability - Niko has shown he’s been able to adapt quickly to new surroundings. In 2021 he was playing University football and was in the ‘C’ of the Semi-Professional side Vaughan Azzurri in Canada. In early 2022, he joined Slovenian side NK Radomlje youth setup before being later transferred that same year to Hajduk Split in Croatia.
• Body Language - Niko displays good body language regardless of the result. Using Hajduk’s 5-1 win against NK Rudes, the score was 4-1 when Niko was subbed off but there was no lack of determination/complacency. Look to remain professional until the subbed/final whistle. Similar when the result is going against Hadjuk Split, though, yet to see Niko’s body language during a heavy defeat.
• Teamwork - Works hard for his team and very rarely puts them in a compromising position. He follows his role and duties rather than look for individual actions.
• Big Matches - He looks really determined and focused during the big games vs Dinamo Zagreb (The Eternal Derby). He doesn’t shy away and plays his normal game - constantly calling/demanding for the ball and approaching the game with courage.
• Possible ambition to join a well-reputed club - represented by CAA Steller agency. This agency has top talents like Eduardo Camavinga, Jack Grealish, Ibrahima Konate, Simon Adingra and Gianluca Scamacca.
• His idol is Luka Modric. Not only as a player but as a person and leader. Sigur says that Modric has great technical and leadership capabilities.

Personality Profile/Culture Nuances/Last Notes

• Speaks English.
• Niko Sigur didn’t come through a high reputable youth academy but it is his Croatian background that has played a part in his rapid rise. Croatian nationalism tends to be very strong with Croatians outside of Croatia and with Niko, it’s no different. In Croatia, football is a shared passion.
• He has for sure faced some challenges. But Niko epitomises the nation's ability to always do better than expected. And that shows him as a character. From 2021 being in the ‘C’ team to then being at Hadjuk Split in 2022, nobody expected Niko Sigur to be where he is today.
• Sigur was born in Canada where he grew up and played football until the beginning of 2022 when he moved to NK Radomlje, a partner club of Hajduk Split. He then moved to the Hajduk Split Academy and this spring made his debut for the first team as a right-back.
• Due to dual citizenship, Sigur had the possibility to play for Croatia or Canada. After a conversation with the technical director of the A and U-21 Croatia national team, Stipe Pletikosa, Sigur, along with his family, made the decision to represent Croatia.
• “Croatia is the homeland of my family, and that’s why I want to wear that beautiful Croatian shirt in the future. I appreciate and love Canada where I lived and grew up playing football, but I feel that this is the right and best decision. I thank the Croatian Football Federation for expressing their desire for me to play for Croatia, Hajduk for the opportunity to develop my football skills in Croatia, and my family for the tremendous support I feel every day. I am extremely excited to represent Croatia, which is a true global football powerhouse,” said Sigur.
• “We are naturally thrilled by Niko Sigur’s decision and his family’s decision, and we welcome him to the Croatian football family. In a short period, he has shown high quality, plays with great discipline and maturity, and has excellent technical skills, which, combined with his physical characteristics, make him a serious national team prospect. Through a pleasant conversation with Niko and his family, I am convinced that he is a responsible, mature, and ambitious young man who is determined to become a top football player and has a strong desire to play for the Croatian national team. It’s up to him to continue progressing and fulfilling his full potential through dedicated work,” said Stipe Pletikosa, the technical director of the A and U-21 national teams.
• Originally joining the Hajduk Split youth team, there is no doubt there are character traits they have tried to work on if Niko didn’t already have these traits. And those are respect, effort, teamwork, ambition, self-respect, responsibility, humbleness and patience. These are the values that Hajduk Split look to embed into their players. Granted, Niko Sigur didn’t start at Hajduk Split from the academies and originally joined their youth team.,

Sources: SofaScore - https://www.sofascore.com/player/niko-sigur/1411145

Transfermarkt - https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/niko-sigur/profil/spieler/1045375