Meet Niko Grlić – the Slovenian winger combining flair, balance, and vision to light up Europe’s top leagues.
Niko Grlić is one of Slovenia’s most exciting wide players in Football Manager 2026. Known for his pace, dribbling, and football IQ, Grlić developed at NK Maribor before earning moves abroad to Panathinaikos and SK Brann. At just 23, he’s already a regular international with 24 caps for Slovenia and a reputation for consistency across multiple leagues.
Starting Profile – 2025 (Bravo Ljubljana)
At just 18 years old, Grlić begins as a promising attacking midfielder at Bravo Ljubljana. Despite his youth, he already showcases a mature attacking balance – Dribbling (13), Composure (13), and Decisions (13) combine with great movement off the ball to make him a constant threat. His Acceleration (13) and Pace (13) make him difficult to contain on counter-attacks, while his Technique (12) ensures quality in the final third.
Highlights include:
- Dribbling: 13 – confident in one-on-one situations
- Composure: 13 – calm and reliable in possession
- Decisions: 13 – smart with his attacking movement
- Pace: 13 – quick off the mark and threatening in transition
- Flair: 12 – brings unpredictability to attacking phases
Valued between £120K–£1.2M and earning £875 per week, Grlić is an affordable wonderkid for smaller European clubs. His best early role is Inside Forward (Support) on the right flank, cutting in to create space for overlapping full-backs.
Developed Profile – 2030 (SK Brann, on loan from Panathinaikos)
Five years later, Niko Grlić has evolved into a Continental-level winger valued between £11.5M–£15M. Now playing in Norway with Brann on loan from Panathinaikos, he’s delivering consistently strong performances, averaging over 7.00 rating for multiple seasons. His technical ability and off-ball movement make him a key figure in attacking transitions.
Key attributes at this stage:
- Acceleration: 14
- Agility: 13
- Composure: 14
- Dribbling: 13
- Decisions: 15
- Vision: 12
- Work Rate: 13
Career Path and Development
Grlić began his senior career at NK Maribor, where he broke into the first team and made 79 appearances, scoring 11 goals. After a productive loan spell at Bravo Ljubljana, he earned a move to Panathinaikos for £1.4M in 2028, where his technical ability quickly translated into consistent performances. In 2030, he joined SK Brann on loan, adapting seamlessly to Norwegian football and maintaining solid output across all competitions. To date, Grlić has over 170 career appearances and 24 goals to his name.
Traits and Personality
With a Balanced personality and three key traits – Tries Tricks, Likes To Try To Beat Offside Trap, and Cuts Inside From Right Wing – Grlić is built for modern attacking play. He thrives in systems that rely on technical interplay, allowing him to exploit gaps and deliver quality passes or shots in tight spaces.
Best Role and Usage
- Best Role: Inside Forward (Support)
- Position: AM (R/L)
- Formation Fit: 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3
- Playstyle: Creative inside forward who drifts centrally and looks for decisive through balls
- Needs: Improvement in Strength and Crossing to dominate at elite level
Pros
- Consistent performer across different leagues
- Composed and intelligent attacking decision-making
- Good technical base and creativity
- Proven record at both club and international level
Cons
- Physically average – not a powerhouse winger
- Can struggle aerially against tall full-backs
Market Value and Reputation
By 2030, Grlić is valued between £11.5M–£15M and has established a Continental Reputation. His steady growth, adaptability, and tactical intelligence make him one of Slovenia’s standout exports in FM26 – a versatile winger ready for Europe’s elite.
Verdict – Slovenia’s Rising Star
Niko Grlić offers the perfect mix of flair, composure, and maturity. He’s not just another pacey winger – he’s a composed, tactical wide playmaker who can decide games in big moments. In Football Manager 2026, he’s a smart long-term investment for managers seeking creativity and reliability on the flanks.
Read More and Get The Tools
READ MORE: FM26 Wonderkids Shortlist – Price & Position
READ MORE: FM26 Tactics Hub
Want early access to complete wonderkid shortlists and scouting databases? Join FM Blog Premium and download exclusive scouting sheets instantly.
