


Located in one of the most picturesque towns on the Adriatic coast, NK Novigrad 1947 (also known by its Italian name Cittanova) is more than just a sports club. With a history spanning nearly eight decades, this club has become a symbol of Istrian perseverance, professional work, and love for football, positioning itself as an essential hub for the development of young talents in the western part of Croatia.
1945
Croatia · Istria County · Novigrad
Founded immediately after World War II, in 1947, the club spent decades making its way through regional competition ranks. The brightest moments in its recent history are linked to its entry into the Second Croatian Football League (2. HNL), when Novigrad became recognized throughout the region for its modern football and top-notch organization. Stadion Laco, the home of the „Blues,“ became a fortress where players were developed, ready for the biggest challenges in professional sports.
What particularly sets NK Novigrad apart is its focus on younger categories. The club's youth academy has been considered one of the most productive in Istria County for decades. Thanks to a professional pedagogical approach and working methods that follow modern European trends, children from Novigrad and its surroundings receive an excellent football foundation. The club serves as an ideal developmental step for young players aspiring to join larger academies, such as those in Rijeka, Pula, or even neighboring Italy and Slovenia.
Laco Stadium is the pride of the club and the city. Due to its top-notch pitch and accompanying facilities, Novigrad has become a regular destination for winter and summer training for numerous European teams, as well as a host of international tournaments and camps. This constant exposure to the international football scene allows Novigrad's young players to test themselves against peers from all over Europe, gaining invaluable experience from a very early age.
Although the football environment is constantly changing, NK Novigrad 1947 remains committed to its mission: developing athletes who will first and foremost be good people, and then top footballers. For scouts and platforms like Next Football Stars, this club represents a reliable source of technically skilled and tactically intelligent players who possess a distinct Mediterranean football temperament.


