I’m a former Premier League star who was worth £13million – now I’m playing for 86p

NIKOLA KALINIC was once earning thousands of pounds a week in the Premier League – now he’s set to barely earn a pound at his latest club.

The 36-year-old played for Blackburn Rovers, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid during his heyday and is regarded as one of the greatest Croatian strikers ever.

PA

Nikola Kalinic earned a pretty penny during his time at Blackburn Rovers[/caption]

EPA

The Croat also earned a few bob during his time with AC Milan[/caption]

AFP

The 36-year-old also enjoyed a spell at Atletico Madrid[/caption]

HADJUK SPLIT

Kalinic will earn 86p for his short-term return to boyhood club Hajduk Split[/caption]

Kalinic, who was once worth £13million, earned a pretty penny during his career – which is coming to its end.

And he will quite literally be earning pennies following his latest move, a return to his boyhood team Hajduk Split.

Earlier this month the veteran striker inked a deal with the Croatian giants until the end of the season.

But he’ll only earn a paltry 86 PENCE for his third stint with the Masters from the Sea.

Hadjuk club director Mindaugas Nikolicius said of Kalinic’s return: “This was easiest deal in my three years at Hajduk – it’s a 1 euro salary.

“Nikola returns with one aim: help Hajduk to win the title after 19 years.”

He added: “We all know what kind of situation he was in.

“We need to give him some time and see what form he will be in.

KENNY RAMSAY

Nikola Kalinic was regarded to be one of the best Croatian strikers ever[/caption]

“Nikola returns with one aim: help Hajduk to win the title after 19 years.”

Kalinic has seemingly never been motivated by money – he even turned down a lucrative move to China when he was in Italy with Fiorentina.

He told Sportske Novosti: “There was huge pressure to sell me, I felt everyone was pushing me to China.

“Not the club but the press and people, the atmosphere was created that I should go – they wanted to get rid of me.

“I never said I would love to go.

“Of course, I considered it when I saw the offer, but not once did I say I would like to go!

“I don’t know how much Tianjin offered to Fiorentina, I got an offer for me and decided to stay.

“This is my final decision!”

Kalinic could make his THIRD Hadjuk debut a week on Monday when the SuperSport HNL table-toppers host second-placed Rijeka at the Stadion Poljud.

EPA

Nikola Kalinic turned down a lucrative move to China when he was at Fiorentina[/caption]