Inter welcome first new signing of January transfer window

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Peter Young | Last updated Jan 26, 2026 12:06 PM ET

Inter have officially completed their first piece of business of the January transfer window with their signing of Leon Jakirovic on a permanent transfer from Dinamo Zagreb.

Official: Inter sign Jakirovic from Dinamo Zagreb

The 18-year-old centre-back has joined Inter on a long-term contract, reportedly until the summer of 2021. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Nerazzurri have paid a fee of €2.5m and could pay a further €2m in bonuses and add-ons to secure a deal with Dinamo Zagreb.

Jakirovic made his professional debut in the Croatian top flight as a 16-year-old at the end of the 2023-24 season, and also made his Champions League bow as a 17-year-old in the final minute of Dinamo Zagreb’s 2-1 win over Milan almost exactly one year ago.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: A general view of the stadium ahead of the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The teenager is expected to be based with the club’s affiliated U23 side during his first months in Italy.

He becomes Inter’s first signing of the January transfer window and the sixth new Nerazzurri arrival of the 2025-26 season, following the summer acquisitions of Ange-Yoan Bonny, Luis Henrique, Andy Diouf, Manuel Akanji and Petar Sucic – also from Dinamo Zagreb.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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