PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dominik Kotarski |
| Date of Birth | 10/02/2000 (Age: 26) |
| Place of Birth | Zabok, Croatia |
| Nationality | Croatian |
| Height | 1.89 m / 6 ft 2 in |
| Weight | 75-82 kg |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #1 (Copenhagen), #23 or #42 (Croatia) |
| Current Club | FC Copenhagen |
| Previous Clubs | Dinamo Zagreb (youth), Ajax, Jong Ajax, HNK Gorica (loan), PAOK |
| International Caps | 4 |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2030 |
The Frozen Moment
The Croatian camp in Orlando was buzzing with tension. July 2026. Croatia were preparing for their World Cup group stage opener against England in Group L. The weight of a nation rested on the shoulders of the squad, and in the goalkeeping department, the pecking order was clear.
Dominik Kotarski sat in the shadows of Dominik Livaković, the veteran hero of the 2022 World Cup penalty shootouts against Japan and Brazil. With just three senior caps to his name heading into the tournament, Kotarski was the understudy, the man waiting in the wings.
But his journey to this point had been anything but ordinary. He had been the third-choice goalkeeper for Ajax’s first team, biding his time behind André Onana. He had been loaned out to Gorica in his homeland to prove himself. He had won a Greek championship with PAOK. And now, he was the backup goalkeeper for Croatia at the 2026 World Cup.
The boy from Zabok, who had left Dinamo Zagreb’s academy for Ajax at 18, had finally arrived on the biggest stage of all.
Origins
Dominik Kotarski was born on February 10, 2000, in Zabok, Croatia. His football journey began at the age of six with local club NK Tondach Bedekovčina. His talent was quickly spotted, and in 2011, at just 11 years old, he joined the prestigious academy of Dinamo Zagreb.
At Dinamo, he honed his skills and caught the attention of European scouts. In 2018, the opportunity of a lifetime arrived. Ajax, one of the world’s most renowned development clubs, signed Kotarski, although the deal was finalized only when he turned 18.
The European Forge
Jong Ajax (2018-2021):
Kotarski’s move to Ajax was a dream, but the path to the first team was blocked by André Onana and Kostas Lamprou. He continued his development with Ajax’s reserve team, Jong Ajax, in the Eerste Divisie. He made his professional debut for Jong Ajax on March 30, 2018, and went on to make 60 appearances for the reserve side. During his time with the Ajax organization, he won multiple Dutch league and cup titles, though he was primarily a squad player for the first team.
HNK Gorica (Loan, 2021-2022):
To gain regular first-team football, Kotarski was loaned to HNK Gorica in the Croatian top flight. The move was a success—he made 24 league appearances, kept 8 clean sheets, and gained invaluable experience.
PAOK (2022-2025):
In June 2022, Kotarski signed a four-year contract with Greek giants PAOK. At PAOK, he became a key player, making 96 league appearances and winning the Greek Super League title in 2024. He established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Greek top flight.
FC Copenhagen (2025-Present):
On July 9, 2025, FC Copenhagen announced the signing of Kotarski on a five-year contract. The move was a significant step up for the Croatian goalkeeper, joining one of Scandinavia’s biggest clubs.
In his first season in Denmark, Kotarski made 21 league appearances, logging 1,890 minutes. In the UEFA Champions League, he played all 14 matches, accumulating 1,260 minutes of European football. He also featured in 5 Danish Cup matches. His save percentage in the Superliga was 66.67%.
International Career:
Kotarski has been a regular in Croatia’s youth national teams, representing his country at U14, U15, U16, U17, U18, U19, U20, and U21 levels. He was a standout performer for the U17 team at the 2017 U17 European Championship.
He received his first senior call-up as part of Croatia’s preliminary 34-man squad for the 2022 World Cup. He made his senior debut on March 26, 2024, in a friendly against Egypt, coming on at half-time.
The Anatomy of His Game
Kotarski is a modern goalkeeper defined by his Ajax education, composure, and ability to handle pressure. His technical and tactical foundation is exceptionally strong.
In Possession:
Kotarski is known for his composure with the ball at his feet. Jacob Neestrup, his manager at Copenhagen, described him as “a modern goalkeeper” with “good composure in playing with the ball, which can therefore also help us offensively.”
Out of Possession:
Kotarski is a strong shot-stopper with quick reactions, particularly in one-on-one situations. He recorded a save percentage of 66.67% in the Superliga. He has also shown the ability to handle high-pressure situations, having played in European competitions for PAOK and Copenhagen.
Psychological Edge:
Kotarski’s mental strength is a key asset. He is used to playing under pressure and for winning clubs. His journey from being a backup at Ajax to becoming a first-choice goalkeeper for a Champions League club is a testament to his resilience.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets | Save Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danish Superliga | 21 | 1,890 | — | — | 66.67% |
| UEFA Champions League | 14 | 1,260 | — | — | — |
| Danish Cup | 5 | — | — | — | — |
| TOTAL | 40 | 3,150+ | — | — | — |
TABLE B: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Clean Sheets | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | — | In Progress |
| UEFA Nations League | 1 | — | Runner-up (2022/24) |
| FIFA World Cup Qualifying | 1 | — | — |
| Croatia Senior Career | 4 | — | — |
TABLE C: The Impact Table (Major Honours)
| Competition | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Greek Super League | 2023/24 |
| Eredivisie | 2018/19, 2020/21 |
| KNVB Cup | 2018/19, 2020/21 |
| Johan Cruyff Shield | 2019 |
| Eerste Divisie | 2017/18 |
| Total Major Trophies | 7+ |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Joined Dinamo Zagreb Academy | Age 11 |
| 2018 | Signed for Ajax | Dutch club |
| 2018 | Professional Debut | For Jong Ajax |
| 2021-22 | Gorica Loan | 24 appearances |
| 2022 | PAOK Transfer | Greek Super League move |
| 2024 | Greece Cup Runner-up | With PAOK |
| 2024 | Greece League Winner | With PAOK |
| 2024 | Croatia Debut | Against Egypt |
| 2025 | FC Copenhagen Transfer | 5-year contract |
| 2026 | World Cup Appearance | 1 match |
What these figures reveal
is a goalkeeper who has steadily progressed through European football’s ranks. Kotarski has won 7+ major trophies, made over 100 appearances in the Greek Super League, and established himself as a Champions League-level goalkeeper. His 4 caps for Croatia and his appearance at the 2026 World Cup are a testament to his growth.
The Present Tense
Dominik Kotarski is 26 years old and at a pivotal stage in his career. He is the first-choice goalkeeper for FC Copenhagen and the backup goalkeeper for Croatia’s 2026 World Cup campaign.
The Copenhagen Story:
Kotarski joined Copenhagen in July 2025 and has become an integral part of the team. He played 21 league matches and all 14 Champions League matches in his debut season.
The World Cup Campaign:
Kotarski was named in Zlatko Dalić’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made one appearance in the tournament, coming on as a substitute or starting in a match. Croatia competed in Group L alongside England.
International Record:
Kotarski has 4 caps for Croatia and made his debut in 2024. He has been part of the national team setup since 2022 when he was included in a preliminary World Cup squad.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Kotarski is known for his strong character and professionalism. FC Copenhagen’s coach, Jacob Neestrup, praised his “strong character” as “absolutely crucial to becoming a great goalkeeper for F.C. Copenhagen.”
He is also a product of one of the world’s best football academies—Dinamo Zagreb and Ajax. His education at both clubs has given him a strong technical and tactical base.
The Verdict from the Camp
Jacob Neestrup, FC Copenhagen head coach:
“Dominik is a modern goalkeeper. He is quick to react when facing shots from short distances and good in one-on-one situations. Furthermore, he is a keeper with good composure in playing with the ball… Dominik is used to playing under pressure and in hectic conditions, and he has already played many important games in his career.”
Sune Smith-Nielsen, FC Copenhagen sporting director:
“Dominik is a goalkeeper with a really strong foundation. He has a good education from Dinamo Zagreb and Ajax, and this has given him a strong technical and tactical base.”
Statistic:
Kotarski made his Croatia debut in March 2024 against Egypt, coming on at half-time.
Statistic:
Kotarski was part of PAOK’s Greek Super League-winning squad in 2023/24.
Where Next?
Dominik Kotarski is 26 years old and under contract with FC Copenhagen until 2030. He has established himself as a Champions League-level goalkeeper and will continue to be a key player for Copenhagen.
For Croatia, Kotarski is the heir apparent to Dominik Livaković. At 26, he has many years ahead of him and could become the national team’s first-choice goalkeeper after the 2026 World Cup.
From Zabok to Dinamo Zagreb, from Ajax to PAOK to Copenhagen, Dominik Kotarski’s journey is a story of patience, resilience, and extraordinary talent. The boy who left Croatia for Ajax at 18 has become a Champions League goalkeeper and a World Cup squad member. And his story is far from over.
