Niko Sigur has built one of the more unusual player pathways in Canadian soccer, growing up in British Columbia, choosing Croatia first, then switching back to represent Canada on the international stage. Niko Sigur now anchors the midfield for Croatian giant Hajduk Split while wearing the Canadian jersey at major tournaments. This article breaks down his age, his parents, his ethnicity, his salary, and how his numbers stack up against players like Nathan Saliba, another rising name in Canadian soccer.
Who Is Niko Sigur?
Niko Kristian Sigur is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder, and occasionally right back, for HNK Hajduk Split in Croatia’s top division. He also represents the Canadian men’s national team, a decision that came after years of development within Croatia’s youth system.
His versatility across two positions has made him valuable to both club and country, and his ability to switch between defensive midfield and right back gives coaches flexibility that many single-position players can’t offer.
Niko Sigur Age: How Old Is He?
Niko Sigur was born on September 9, 2003, in Burnaby, British Columbia, making him 22 years old as of 2026. That’s the same general age bracket as several other emerging Canadian internationals, and it places him at a stage where clubs across Europe are watching closely to see whether he takes the next step up.
His age also matters in context. He’s already logged over 100 senior appearances for Hajduk Split, a workload that’s fairly heavy for a player barely in his early twenties.
Niko Sigur Ethnicity and Family Background
Sigur’s ethnicity is Croatian-Canadian, and it’s central to understanding his career path. He was born and raised in Burnaby, B.C., but his family carries Croatian heritage, which is what initially opened the door to international opportunities with Croatia rather than Canada.
That dual heritage gave him dual citizenship, and it explains why Croatia’s youth setup identified and developed him well before Canada Soccer entered the picture. Growing up in a Croatian-Canadian household shaped both his early technical training and, eventually, the difficult decision about which country to represent at the senior level.
Niko Sigur Parents and Early Life
While detailed public information about Sigur’s parents remains limited, what’s clear is that his family’s Croatian roots directly shaped his early exposure to the sport and his path toward Croatian youth football. He started playing organized soccer at age five with Cliff Avenue United FC in Burnaby, then moved to Mountain United FC, where he began collecting silverware early, including a BC provincial championship in 2016 and a BCSPL League Cup title in 2018.
That early success caught the attention of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy, which he joined in 2018 and where he won a USSDA Northwest Division championship. He also starred at Notre Dame Regional Secondary School in Vancouver, helping the school capture a BC AA provincial title in 2019.
From Burnaby to Croatia: Sigur’s Career Path
Sigur’s route to professional soccer wasn’t a straight line, and that’s part of what makes his story interesting.
- York University (2021) — He played one season of U Sports soccer, starting 10 of 11 matches and scoring two goals, including a dramatic 119th-minute winner in a semifinal match.
- Radomlje, Slovenia (2022) — He moved overseas to join this Slovenian club’s youth setup, a stepping stone rather than a final destination.
- Hajduk Split, Croatia (2022–present) — One of Croatia’s most storied clubs signed him later that year, and he’s been there ever since.
His senior debut came somewhat unexpectedly, on April 22, 2023, when injuries to two teammates forced Hajduk’s coaching staff to throw him into a match against Varaždin. He held his own in a 2-0 win, and that performance opened the door to a regular role.
Niko Sigur Salary and Contract Details
Sigur’s current contract with Hajduk Split runs through the summer of 2028. According to salary tracking sources, he earns approximately €136,000 per year, which works out to roughly €3,000 per week.
That figure is considered modest by the standards of clubs reportedly interested in signing him, which is part of why a transfer could significantly increase his earnings. For comparison, Hajduk’s top earner, veteran forward Marko Livaja, reportedly earns closer to €1.2 million annually, showing just how much room Sigur’s salary has to grow if he moves to a bigger league.
Transfer Interest and Market Value
As of January 2026, reports indicated Hajduk had set an asking price of around €8 million for Sigur, reflecting growing confidence in his long-term value. Clubs including Wolverhampton Wanderers and Celtic FC have reportedly shown interest, and any move to the Premier League or Scottish Premiership would represent a major jump in both salary and competition level.
Career Stats: How Niko Sigur Compares to Nathan Saliba
Sigur isn’t the only young Canadian midfielder drawing attention right now. Nathan Saliba, another Canadian international, has followed a somewhat similar timeline, moving from MLS to a European club. Comparing Nathan Saliba stats to Sigur’s numbers gives a useful picture of how differently their paths have unfolded.
| Category | Niko Sigur | Nathan Saliba |
|---|---|---|
| Born | September 9, 2003 | February 7, 2004 |
| Position | Defensive midfielder / right back | Defensive midfielder |
| Current club | Hajduk Split (Croatia) | RSC Anderlecht (Belgium) |
| Career apps | 108 (all competitions) | 24+ (2024 MLS season alone) |
| Career goals | 5 | 1 (2024 MLS season) |
| International caps | 17 (Canada) | Multiple (Canada, 2024–present) |
| Path to Europe | Croatia U21 to Canada switch | Direct MLS-to-Europe transfer |
Both players represent a broader trend of young Canadian talent finding regular minutes overseas rather than staying in MLS, which historically wasn’t the norm for domestically developed players.
Why Niko Sigur Switched From Croatia to Canada
This is one of the most searched questions about Sigur, and the answer comes down to opportunity and identity. He initially pursued Croatia’s youth pathway, earning call-ups to Croatia U21 in 2023 and even being named a standby player for Croatia’s senior squad at UEFA Euro 2024.
In August 2024, he made the one-time switch to commit to Canada instead, the country where he was born and raised. He made his senior Canada debut on September 10, 2024, in a scoreless draw against Mexico, and hasn’t looked back since.
His Breakout Moment for Canada
Sigur’s biggest international highlight came at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he scored Canada’s opening goal in a commanding 6-0 win over Honduras at BC Place in Vancouver. That performance earned him a spot on the tournament’s Group Stage Best XI, a strong signal that his decision to switch national allegiances was paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Niko Sigur? He was born on September 9, 2003, making him 22 years old.
What is Niko Sigur’s ethnicity? He’s Croatian-Canadian, born and raised in Burnaby, B.C., to a family with Croatian heritage.
How much does Niko Sigur earn? He earns approximately €136,000 per year at Hajduk Split, roughly €3,000 per week.
Why did Niko Sigur choose Canada over Croatia? Despite representing Croatia at the U21 level, he chose to commit to Canada in August 2024, the country of his birth, making his senior debut that September.
Which clubs are interested in signing Niko Sigur? Reports have linked Wolverhampton Wanderers and Celtic FC to a potential transfer, with Hajduk Split reportedly valuing him at around €8 million.
Final Thoughts
Niko Sigur’s journey from a Burnaby youth pitch to Croatia’s top division, and eventually to Canada’s senior national team, shows how complicated modern soccer identity can be for dual nationals. With growing transfer interest and a Gold Cup breakout goal already behind him, his next contract could look very different from his current one. Keep an eye on his summer transfer situation, because at 22, Sigur’s career trajectory is only just beginning to take shape.
