Career
Early years
In 1998, Šafarić started his football career in Varaždin for Varteks as a young 17-year-old midfielder. He quickly established himself as irreplaceable in the Varteks team Before his 20th birthday he has already played around 40 league games for Varteks and scoring several goals in the process.
Best years in Varteks
From the 2002-2003 season, Nikola finally stepped up on the big scene.
He became a first team regular in Varteks and in the next 5 seasons he scored 32 goals in the domestic league only. His good games as well as passion for football and leadership ability could not go unnoticed so he was appointed as team's captain.
Nikola Šafarić is also a great penalty and free kick taker and although he could play every possible position in the midfield he says he "plays best as a defensive midfielder."
Rijeka
In the beginning of the 2007-2008 season, Nikola Šafarić was sold to Rijeka. In Rijeka, Nikola was welcomed by many as a great acquisition.
He instantly "grabbed" first team position and was one of the team"s best players by scoring two goals and adding three more assists, which helped Rijeka to finish at the fourth place in the Prva HNL. Slaven Belupo
On 31 August 2008, Šafarić signed a 2-year contract with Slaven Belupo.
Kaposvári
He signed for Kaposvári in 2011. Inter Zaprešić
In January 2015, he signed for the Druga HNL outfit NK Inter Zaprešić. That"s why he was predicted a great international club career.
But, unfortunately, up to this date Nikola has made only three appearances for Croatia national football team
His second and third international cap came on 2006 Carlsberg Cup in Hong Kong on which Croatia finished third.