Kurtic was born on January 10, 1989, in Chernomel, in the former Yugoslavia, now Slovenia. He joined the academies of local side NK Bela Krajina from a young age and in 2007 he was promoted to the first team. After three full seasons in the Slovenian second division, he caught the eye of Gorica, who gave him the opportunity to test his abilities in the top flight.

Within six months … Italy

His time with Gorica proved to be short-lived, as his performances in the first half of the 2010-11 season persuaded Palermo to invest and bring him to Italy, a decision that was to be decisive for his career. In January 2011 he moved to Sicily, took his first chances in the league and cup, scored his first goal in Serie A, but then in the summer he decided to leave on loan to gain more experience.

He moved to Serie B with Varese, where he became a key and irreplaceable member of hte team, making 43 appearances, scoring three goals, and serving up four assists.

Return to Sicily and the big breakthrough

After the adventure with Varese, he returned to Palermo ready to knock on the door of the starting XI and fight to establish himself, now being an international with the Slovenia national team. He even made his debut in a friendly against Greece, in a match during which he also scored a goal with a direct free-kick.

The 2012-13 season ended with a positive sign, as he played in 32 games in the top league.

In the summer of 2013, Palermo reached an agreement to sell the player to Sassuolo, and Kurtic moved to the newly-promoted side. After six months with 18 appearances and two assists, Sassuolo decided to loan him to Torino. The Slovenian midfielder maintained his high numbers there, with 16 games and two goals.

From Florence to … Bergamo

The co-ownership of the player held by Parma and Sassuolo ended in favor of the latter, which, however, decided to loan him next to Fiorentina. It was also the first time that the player crossed paths with PAOK, as Fiorentina faced the Double-headed Eagle in the Europa League group stage.

In Florence, Kurtic played a full season with 28 appearances and one goal, which prompted Atalanta to move for his services. On June 25, 2015, Kurtic was announced by the Bergamo club as a new arrival and for the next two-and-a-half seasons he improved further.

At Atalanta, he recorded a total of 92 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists until January 2018, when he was then loaned to SPAL.

SPAL and then on to Parma

After six months, SPAL decided to pay just over five million euros to make Kurtic their own, and their decision was vindicated with the Slovenian proving a key player in their midfield. He remained there until January 2020, and recorded 65 appearances with nine goals and five assists to his name.

Parma, who were looking for a solution for central midfield, paid SPAL around five million euros to acquire him, after the player first passed the test of being on loan. He played in 57 games for Parma, scoring six goals and providing one assist.

The national team

Kurtic , as stated, started his career with the the Slovenian national team in May 2012, and since then he has played 68 times and is a current international. He has scored two goals and has contributed four assists.

The PAOK era

In the summer of 2021, Kurtic decided to accept PAOK’s proposal and become a resident of Thessaloniki.

Last season, the Slovenian was the team’s top scorer, while in total with in a lack and white shirt, he has made 63 appearances, scored 21 goals and contributed four assists.