Bartol Franjić promoted with Venezia

Bartol Franjić promoted with Venezia

Bartol Franjić and Venezia have earned promotion back to Serie A. The club won 2-0 over Palermo on Friday to top Serie B and clinch a return to Italy's top flight. Franjić, 26, on loan from VfL Wolfsburg, started but was subbed off in the first half after picking up an injury.

Franjić joined Wolfsburg from Dinamo Zagreb in 2022 for a reported €7.5 million. However, injuries sidelined the young defender for much of his first season, and he was limited to just three starts. He spent the next season on loan with newly-promoted SV Darmstadt, playing 20 times as the club was relegated to the 2. Bundesliga.

Franjić spent last season on loan first with Shakhtar Donetsk, and then back in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb. With seemingly no future for him in Wolfsburg, he was again loaned out this season, this time to Venezia in Italy's Serie B.

The Croatian has again struggled with injuries in Italy, but still managed 15 starts as the club finished first. He may well be there next season, as the loan becomes permanent if certain conditions are met.

Franjić isn't the only Wolfsburg connection in the promoted side. John Yeboah progressed through Wolfsburg's academy and made three appearances before leaving the club permanently in 2020.

Friday was a busy day for Wolfsburg loanees, as Nicolas Cozza, who joined in the same season, was relegated to Ligue 2 with FC Nantes.