Nikola Maras' (foto: Getty Images)
Alaves have terminated Nikola Maras' contract a year early after a disciplinary investigation found evidence of a deliberate reduction in his training performance.
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Nikola Maras has endured an unhappy end to his time in the Basque Country after Alaves terminated the Serbian defender's contract one year before it was due to expire.
The Spanish top-flight club announced on Thursday that it had dismissed the 30-year-old following the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings concerning a reduction in his work performance.
Concerns reportedly emerged after the club detected that the defender was putting increasingly less effort into training. Alaves subsequently spoke to the player before launching the disciplinary procedure that eventually resulted in his dismissal.
Alaves analysed Maras' training performance
The club explained its decision in a detailed statement, revealing that it had examined objective data related to Maras' training activity.
"Deportivo Alaves announces that it has terminated its contractual relationship with Nikola Maras by dismissal following the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings initiated over a possible reduction in his work performance," the club said.
Alaves added that the procedure followed the provisions of the AFE-LALIGA collective agreement.
"The procedure is based, among other things, on a report that comprehensively and continuously analyses the player's performance throughout his contractual relationship," the statement continued.
The Basque club said it used several objective parameters to assess the Serbian defender.
"To prepare this report, various objective parameters relating to his sporting activity were evaluated, based on platforms of recognised standing and records concerning the player's workload and behaviour in training."
Alaves also stressed that Maras had been given the opportunity to present his side of the case.
"During the proceedings, Nikola Maras had the opportunity to provide an explanation and defend his case. Once the established procedure was completed, Deportivo Alaves informed the player of the termination of his contract," the club added.
Difficult spell in Vitoria
Maras' relationship with Alaves had never developed as either side might have hoped.
The former Rad defender initially joined the club from Almeria on loan in the summer of 2022. The agreement included an obligation for Alaves to buy him for €1.5 million if the club secured promotion to La Liga.
Alaves achieved promotion that season, automatically triggering the permanent transfer.
However, Maras never established himself as an important first-team player in Vitoria.
Only three Alaves appearances in three years
Over the following three years, Maras made only three appearances for Alaves and spent much of that period away from the club on loan.
He had spells with Levante and Sporting Gijon before spending the second half of last season with Mirandes.
His time with Alaves has now ended completely, with the Serbian defender becoming a free agent and able to choose his next club without a transfer fee.