Olimpia Milano, Nikola Mirotic is official
The words of Nikola Mirotic
The soap opera of the summer is over: Nikola Mirotic is officially a player of Olimpia Milano, which announced the signing of a contract until 2026 with the former Barcelona star.
“I am happy – Nikola Mirotic’s first words – to join this great family that is Olimpia Milano and to be able to contribute to make this team and this prestigious club more and more competitive. I will try to give my best to reward the trust that Mr. Armani and President Dell’Orco have shown me. I am also very happy to return to play for Coach Messina whom I met when I was starting out. I am sure that next season will be a fun season and that our fans will be proud of us.”
Giorgio Armani is also enthusiastic: “When the possibility of bringing Nikola Mirotic to Milan came up, Leo Dell’Orco and I said that we would have to do everything possible, while respecting our principles, to make this opportunity a reality. Mirotic is a proven champion and a special person. We were able to win him because of the credibility we have built over the years with the great work we have all done together on and off the court. Bringing him to Olimpia is a gift that our fans will appreciate and a great opportunity for the whole team. We are also convinced that Mirotic will feel at home here with us and, like other champions before him, will be happy to have chosen Milan.”
Nikola Mirotic began playing basketball in Podgorica at the Joker School of former player Jadran Vujacic, but by the age of 14 he had already moved to Spain to soldier for Real Madrid. He grew up in Real Madrid’s youth ranks and made his first-team debut in 2008. He remained at Real Madrid until 2014, being named a EuroLeague Rising Star in 2011 and 2012. In 2013 and 2014 he was included in the second All-EuroLeague quintet. With Real Madrid he won the Spanish title in 2013, the King’s Cup in 2012 and 2014 and the Spanish Super Cup in 2012 and 2013. He was MVP of the Spanish championship in 2013 and the King’s Cup in 2014. Selected in the 2011 NBA drafts in the first round (number 23) by Houston, he was then acquired by the Chicago Bulls with whom he debuted in the 2014/15 season. With the Bulls he played until 2018 when he was acquired by the New Orleans Pelicans. A year later he moved to the Milwaukee Bucks. In the NBA he was first rookie quintet in 2015 and two-time rookie of the month. In 2019 he returned to Europe to play for Barcelona. In four seasons, he won the Spanish title twice, in 2021 and 2023. On both occasions he was named MVP of the final. He also won the King’s Cup in 2021 and 2022, the second as MVP. He was MVP of the championship in 2020. With Barcelona he was first All-EuroLeague quintet in 2021 and 2022, second quintet in 2023. In 2022 he was MVP of the season. With the Spanish national team he won the European Under-20 Championship in 2011. With the senior national team, he won a gold medal at the 2015 European Championships and bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He was four times first quintet in the Spanish League and twice second quintet. Five times he was named Spain’s best player of the year.
