Matej Delac Croatian footballer, goalkeeper Date of Birth: 20.08.1992 Country: Croatia

1. Croatian Goalkeeper Leaves Home for Chelsea
2. Benfica Interest
3. Debut and Acclaim
4. Chelsea Emergence
5. Contract with Chelsea
6. International Recognition

Croatian Goalkeeper Leaves Home for Chelsea

Matej Delač, a Croatian football goalkeeper, first caught the eye as a young talent with the academy of Inter-Zaprešić. His impressive performances for the Croatian U15 team drew the attention of top clubs across Europe.

Benfica Interest

In the summer of 2008, Benfica approached Delač with a potential transfer. However, the two clubs failed to agree on terms, and he remained with Zaprešić.

Debut and Acclaim

On February 22, 2009, Delač made his first-team debut for Inter in a match against Zagreb. At 16 years and 186 days old, he became the youngest player ever to appear in the Croatian top flight. He impressed with a key save in the 85th minute, securing a 1-0 victory and earning him the man of the match award.

Chelsea Emergence

Delač continued to excel throughout the 2008/09 season, making 15 appearances as Zaprešić's starting goalkeeper. Following Croatia's defeat at Wembley on September 11, 2009, it was announced that Delač had been in London for a medical and was on the verge of signing a pre-contract with Chelsea.

Contract with Chelsea

On September 17, 2009, Inter-Zaprešić confirmed that Delač had indeed signed a five-year contract with Chelsea, effective from the summer 2010 transfer window. He would remain with Zaprešić until then, with his salary paid by Chelsea.

International Recognition

After representing Croatia at youth levels between 2007 and 2008, Delač was called up to the senior national team in 2009. At age 19, he became the youngest player ever to be included in the squad for World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and England.