marko Vidačković is another reinforcement for Panthers Wrocław for the 2026 season!

23-year-old defensive back Marko Vidačković is the newest addition to Panthers Wrocław! Last season, he secured the European League of Football championship title with the Stuttgart Surge. He is the third player from that championship-winning roster to join the Panthers for the 2026 season!

Although Marko’s parents are from Croatia, he was born in Germany. He began his American football journey in 2015 with the Stuttgart Scorpions. He then took his talent across the ocean to Lincoln High School in the United States. His standout performance in high school—playing as both a wide receiver and defensive back—earned him offers from programs such as Black Hills State, Linfield College, Western Oregon, and the University of Oregon.

Ultimately, Vidačković chose to join the Oregon Ducks, one of the premier football programs in the United States. After finishing his studies, Marko returned to Europe. He joined the Stuttgart Surge during the 2024 season and quickly emerged as a team leader, celebrating the ELF Championship title last year. Despite being only 23, Marko is an incredibly experienced player who is sure to become a pillar of the Panthers Wrocław defense in 2026.

How would you describe your playing style to someone who has never seen you on the field?

I would describe my playing style as aggressive. I’m a very passionate football player and try to show that passion when I’m standing on the field. I love contact and being aggressive with tackling. I also love to have fun playing football and standing on the field and you can definitely tell from my playing style that I’m having fun standing on the field. Football is a great outlet and has been my biggest passion for many years.

How do you look back on your time with the Oregon Ducks?

My time at the University of Oregon was the best period of my life. It was always my dream as a kid growing up to play at a top-notch college program, so making that a reality was extremely exciting. In my wildest dreams I never imagined it to turn out the way it did, but it just goes to show that you can achieve your crazy dreams if you put your mind to it and work for it. I look back on those 5 years with an intense amount of gratitude. I made so many memories and lifelong friends there that have shaped me into the person I am today. I’m very appreciative of all of the things I got to experience and the memories I got to make. The football program instilled many habits and life lessons in me that I will carry with me forever. There are so many amazing people in that building, from coaching staff, medical staff, and many more that make that place truly special. The bond I created with my teammates, that I now call my brothers for life, is also remarkable. Everybody comes from different walks of life, but we all train and grow together to achieve a common goal. There is truly nothing like the experience of College Football. I wouldn’t trade my time in Eugene at the University of Oregon for anything in the world. 

What were the most valuable lessons you learned during your championship season with the Stuttgart Surge, and how can they benefit your new team?

The most valuable lesson I learned is the importance of “connection” within a team. While we were certainly amongst the most talented group in the league, I believe it was our connection between one another that propelled us to the Championship in our hometown of Stuttgart. There were many teams that had equivalent roster talent just like us, but our connection gave us the edge over everyone else. We knew that it didn’t matter what happened in any certain game, there was no challenge big enough that we wouldn’t be able to overcome as a team. We truly believe that. That was the difference. We played for one another from start to finish of every game. The 2025 ELF season with Stuttgart Surge was the most fun I’ve ever had playing football. The brotherhood we had formed amongst ourselves as teammates was like no other. We spent so much time together off the field every week away from football that we just had a really strong bond and it showed when we played every week. 

The other thing I would say is just the attention to detail, week in and week out. Our coaches did an amazing job game planning and preparing us with film cutups for our opponents every week. We found many calls in opposing offenses as a defense that helped us gain an advantage on the field. Credit to the coaches for getting us ready, and the whole team for diving into the film to gain an advantage going into game days on Sundays. Every detail in preparation mattered to us and we knew that it would be the difference to get us to where we wanted, European Champions 2025. 

I’m looking to bring that Championship DNA with me to Wroclaw to make an impact immediately on the culture and the team. We’ve got a great chance to have a special year in 2026. 

Two of your old teammates, Ben Wenzler and Mike Harley, signed with the Panthers before you did. Did their presence in the lineup influence your decision to move to Wroclaw and how much will your shared on-field history help you transition into the new season?

Mike & Ben signing in Wroclaw certainly impacted my decision. I’m very close to both of them and I believe they’re both amongst the best football players Europe has to offer. They will both have amazing seasons and they’ve got that championship experience. Mike is the best Import WR in Europe and I believe he will play his best ball yet with a full offseason & season in Wroclaw. Ben & I have a bunch of experience together playing for Stuttgart Surge, but also the German National Team. This also goes way back to the youth days when we just started playing ball for the Stuttgart Scorpions. I trust him 100% and always know how to play off of him, the same way he knows to play off of me when certain plays are called. We have very good chemistry on the field and take pride in locking down our half of the field together. 

Did you speak with anyone from the coaching staff before signing your contract?

I had great talks with Coach Likins during my recruiting process. I really enjoy the defensive scheme he runs and I’ve got a couple years of experience within it. I ran that same scheme during my last two years of College Football at Oregon. It’s an elite scheme that can make us a very dominant defense. There’s a reason top programs like Oregon, Georgia and Alabama run that defensive scheme. 

What goals have you set for yourself ahead of the 2026 AFLE season?

I want to keep improving my game from last season and take the next steps this season. I want to lead the league in INTs and turnovers created. I want to make the playoffs & win the Championship with Wroclaw in the 2026 AFLE season. 

What message would you like to send to Panthers nation?

Tune in & get your popcorn ready! This year is about to be special & exciting. Time to take the Wroclaw Panthers to new heights!!