Jan Novak (footballer, born 1997)


Jan Novak is a Slovenian professional footballer who plays for NK Drava Ptuj as a forward. He is a product of the NK Krka youth system and represented Slovenia at U18 level.

Club career

NK Krka

A forward or winger, Novak began his career in his native Slovenia with NK Krka in 2004. He rose through the youth ranks to make his professional debut for the club at 16 years of age, with a late appearance as a substitute for Martin Kramarič in a 3–1 PrvaLiga defeat to NK Rudar Velenje on 23 August 2014. Despite scoring prolifically for the youth teams, it wasn't until after relegation to the Second League that Novak made a breakthrough into the first team, making 18 appearances and two goals during the first half of the 2016–17 season before departing the Portoval on 31 January 2017.

Brentford

During the 2016–17 pre-season, Novak travelled to England to join the B team at Championship club Brentford on trial. He was successful, but paperwork problems meant that he was unable to join the club until 31 January 2017, when he signed an 18-month contract for an undisclosed fee. Novak made 32 appearances and scored six goals before his release at the end of the 2017–18 season.

Return to NK Krka

On 22 August 2018, Novak returned to Slovenia to rejoin Second League club NK Krka on a one-year contract and made 26 appearances and scored five goals during the 2018–19 season. He left the club when his contract expired in June 2019.

NK Drava Ptuj

On 1 July 2019, Novak joined Slovenian Second League club NK Drava Ptuj on a free transfer. He made 18 appearances and scored two goals during the shortened 2019–20 season.

International career

Novak won four U18 caps for Slovenia in 2014.

Career statistics