Mladen Brkić

Brkić presented himself in Albania for the first time in the 2008–09 season where he scored 9 goals in 30 matches with Apolonia Fier.[2] He improved during the next season, scoring 15 goals in 30 matches, missing out "Golden Boot" to Daniel Xhafa for 3 goals.[3] In January 2010 he was also named the new team captain.[4]

Brkić was loaned out to Dinamo Tirana for the club's participation in the UEFA Europa League; he played in the first leg of first qualifying round against FC Lahti which ended 4–1 to the Finnish side.[5]

On 14 August 2010, Brkić was signed by Skënderbeu Korçë on a one-year contract worth €50,000.[6] He scored in a friendly just four days later against Pogradeci.[7] Brkić scored his first Albanian Superliga hat-trick on 24 October 2010 in a 5–1 home win over Kastrioti Krujë in the matchday 8.[8] The feat was followed by braces against Dinamo Tirana and Besa Kavajë which brought the striker tally to 7 goals.[9][10] He finished the first part of the season as Skënderbeu to scorer with 8 goals in 16 appearances, in addition 1 goal in 1 cup appearance before leaving in January.[11]

In January 2011 Brkić joined a half-season loan at Dinamo Tirana, returning at capital club after two-and-a-half years.[12] As part of the transfer, Albanian midfielder Gjergji Muzaka went to the opposite direction.[11]

Brkić agreed personal terms and joined fellow top flight side Flamurtari on 15 September 2011 on a one-year contract.[13] His spell at Red&Blacks was short-lived, as he went goalless in 10 league appearances. He did, however, scored once in Albanian Cup on 28 September versus lower league opposition Bilisht Sport.[14] He left the club in the first days of January after terminating the contract.[15]

On 15 March 2012, after three months as a free agent, Brkić left Albania and joined Zalaegerszegi TE of Nemzeti Bajnokság I.[16] He signed a contract until the end of the 2011–12 season and took squad number 11.[16] Brkić made his competitive two days later by entering as a substitute in the final minutes of the 1–1 home draw against Szombathelyi Haladás.[17] His first score-sheet contributions came in his second appearance for the club on 24 March against Vasas SC, netting a volley in 76th minute to give his team the temporary lead in an eventual 2–3 loss at Illovszky Rudolf Stadion.[18] Brkić finished his short spell in Hungary by making 8 appearances and scoring once, as Zalaegerszegi TE was relegated to Nemzeti Bajnokság II after finishing last in the championship.[19]

Brkić completed a transfer to Albanian Superliga outfit Laçi on 29 August 2013, returning in Albania after two seasons.[20] He made his debut on 14 September in the opening week of championship versus Partizani Tirana, producing a strong performance and assisted the lone goal before was replaced at extra time as Laçi won at home.[21] He opened his scoring account later on 6 November in a cup match against Elbasani, netting the opener with a penalty kick as Laçi won 2–0.[22] His first league goal came three days later as he scored the first of a 0–2 win at Kastrioti Krujë.[23] He left the club on 14 April of the following year due to his poor performances throughout the season, having scored only 4 goals in 25 league appearances.[24]