Venezia have secured promotion to Serie A after defeating Palermo 2-0 on Friday, with Bartol Franjić playing a part in the victory despite an early injury. The 26-year-old Croatian defender is currently on loan at the club from VfL Wolfsburg, and his future in Italy may become permanent following the team’s success.
Franjić started the crucial match but was substituted in the first half after picking up an unspecified injury, according to reports from the game. Despite the setback, Venezia’s win secured them the Serie B title and a return to Italy’s top flight after a period of absence. He made 15 starts for Venezia this season, contributing to their league-winning campaign.
Wolfsburg originally signed Franjić from Dinamo Zagreb in 2022 for a reported fee of €7.5 million, but his time in Germany has been hampered by injuries. He managed only three starts in his first season with the Bundesliga side, leading to a loan spell with SV Darmstadt the following year. While he featured 20 times for Darmstadt, the club was ultimately relegated to the 2. Bundesliga.
Further loan moves followed for Franjić, first to Shakhtar Donetsk and then back to his former club, Dinamo Zagreb, before joining Venezia this season. The loan agreement with Venezia includes a clause that could make the transfer permanent should certain conditions be met, though details of those conditions have not yet been disclosed.
Interestingly, Franjić is not the only player with Wolfsburg ties in Venezia’s squad. John Yeboah, who came through Wolfsburg’s academy and made three first-team appearances, also plays for the newly-promoted side. However, Friday proved a mixed day for Wolfsburg loanees, as Nicolas Cozza was relegated to Ligue 2 with FC Nantes.
