Urh Kastelic re-join RK Zagreb: “It feels like I’m coming home”
Slovenian national team goalkeeper Urh Kastelic will once again stand between Zagreb’s posts starting in the summer of 2026.
The 29-year-old shot-stopper arrives from German side TBV Lemgo, where he is currently in his fourth season, after previously spending three years with Frisch Auf Göppingen, a club he joined directly from Zagreb.
He played for the Croatian champions from 2017 to 2019.
Kastelic has signed a two-year contract.
Urh Kastelic: “It feels like I’m coming home”
“Coming back to Zagreb means a lot to me because I spent two great years here as a young goalkeeper. Zagreb helped me grow both as a player and as a person, and I feel a lot of gratitude toward this city and the club.
It feels like I’m coming home — Zagreb is not far from my hometown Drnovo. I have only beautiful memories from my first stay here, and I’m truly grateful that the people at Zagreb trusted a kid back then.
What means the most to me are the friendships I made here, and I gladly remember victories in the Champions League against teams like Flensburg, Rhein-Neckar Löwen, or HBC Nantes. We were also very successful in the SEHA League, and I look back on that period with joy.
The proximity to my home definitely played a decisive role in returning. Staying in Germany was an option, but together with my family we felt it was more important to be close to home right now.
As for the handball part — I know exactly what awaits me. Zagreb is a well-organized club that gives players excellent conditions, and it’s up to us to make the most of it and show our best on the court.
My role today is different than it was seven years ago. Back then I was young and gathering my first experiences, and now I’m in a position where my advice and experience can help my teammates the way older players once helped me. No one from that old team is still here, but I’m happy to see familiar faces like Damir Bičanić, now the sporting director, and Arian Jović, who now trains the goalkeepers.
I would describe myself as more experienced, calmer, but still a relatively young goalkeeper. I believe we will all enjoy what awaits us next season, because this is a team that will show real fighting spirit and character — guys who will wear Zagreb’s jersey with pride,” said Kastelic.
Damir Bičanić, Sporting Director:
“From next summer, RK Zagreb will be strengthened by returning goalkeeper Urh Kastelic. As you know, Urh has already spent two seasons with us before moving to the Bundesliga, where he made a strong impression in Göppingen and Lemgo.
He is an experienced Slovenian national team goalkeeper from whom we expect to bring additional quality next year, as well as to help us with his experience and calmness on the court. We are very pleased to confirm this transfer and to welcome back our ‘new old’ goalkeeper, Urh Kastelic.”
