- #
- 5
- Name
- Duje Ćaleta-Car
- Nationality
- Croatia
- Position
- Defender
- Current Team
- Croatia
Exactly! Duje Ćaleta-Car is a Croatian centre-back, born on 17 September 1996, who currently plays for Real Sociedadin La Liga on loan from Lyon in Ligue 1, and is a member of the Croatia national team.
Career Overview
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Hajduk Split (Youth & Senior Team)
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Developed in Hajduk Split’s youth academy.
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Made his senior debut with Hajduk Split, establishing himself as a promising young defender in Croatia’s top division.
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Red Bull Salzburg (2015–2018)
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Transferred to RB Salzburg in Austria in 2015.
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Became a key defender, helping Salzburg win multiple Austrian Bundesliga titles.
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Gained valuable experience in European competitions such as the UEFA Europa League and Champions League qualifiers.
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Marseille (2018–2022)
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Moved to Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1.
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Regular starter, showcasing his defensive abilities in one of Europe’s top leagues.
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Lyon (2022–Present)
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Signed by Lyon in 2022, continuing to compete at a high level in Ligue 1.
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Real Sociedad (Loan, 2025–Present)
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Currently on loan at Real Sociedad in La Liga, gaining experience in Spain’s top-flight league.
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International Career
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Member of the Croatia national team, earning caps in UEFA Nations League, European Championship, and World Cup qualifiers.
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Played in 2018 FIFA World Cup, where Croatia finished as runners-up to France.
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Known for his defensive reliability and composure at the international level.
Playing Style
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Physical Presence: Strong, tall, and dominant in aerial duels.
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Composure: Calm under pressure, capable of starting attacks from the back.
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Tactical Awareness: Reads the game well, positions himself effectively to intercept threats.
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Versatility: Primarily a centre-back but can adapt to different defensive setups.
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Ball-Playing Ability: Comfortable distributing the ball, supporting possession-based teams.
Achievements
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2018 FIFA World Cup: Runner-up with Croatia.
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Austrian Bundesliga Titles with RB Salzburg.
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Regular starter in top European leagues (Ligue 1, La Liga).
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Established international defender for Croatia, part of a strong generation of defenders.
