Ante Vukušić

Ante Vukušić
Personal information
Date of birth 4 June 1991 (1991-06-04) (age 20)
Place of birth Sinj, Croatia
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Hajduk Split
Number 13
Youth career
Junak Sinj
Hajduk Split
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2008– Hajduk Split 67 (27)
National team‡
2009 Croatia U18 6 (2)
2009–2010 Croatia U19 7 (1)
2010– Croatia U21 10 (3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 4 December 2011.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 November 2011

Ante Vukušić (born 4 June 1991 in Sinj) is a Croatian football striker, currently playing for Hajduk Split in the Prva HNL.

Contents

Club career

Vukušić started his career playing at youth level for his hometown club Junak Sinj. He joined powerhouse Hajduk Split in 2007, and during his time at the their youth academy was regarded as one of the most promising players.

In January 2009, he signed a professional five-and-a-half year contract with Hajduk keeping him at the club until summer 2014.[1] He made his debut for the first team in a 5–0 win against Croatia Sesvete on 22 April 2009.[2] In the last round of 2008–09 season, he scored his first goal in Prva HNL, a late equalizer against rivals Dinamo Zagreb.[3]

In the 2009–10 season, Ante established himself as the first choice striker at the club. In 22 league appearances, he scored 6 goals and a further 2 goals in 5 cup appearances. His stature at the club at such a young age impressed many of Europe's top clubs and he was set to make a move away from the Croatian club but the management and he mutually chose for him to remain at the club for the following season.

The 2010–11 season a very successful one for the player. He managed 14 league goals in 29 appearances, the most goals from any player in that season at the club. He also scored four goals in nine UEFA Europe League appearances, the most memorable of which was a 93rd minute winner against Anderlecht.

At the start of the 2011–12, under new coach Krasimir Balakov, Vukušić continued as the first choice striker at the club, this time alongside new signing Ivan Vuković as the most preferred front duo. He scored his first goal of the 2011–12 Prva HNL only three minutes into the first match against Šibenik and added his second in a match against Rijeka. In doing so he injured his toe and was consequentially ruled out for the next four weeks.

Career statistics

Club Season League Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Hajduk Split 2008–09 4 1 – – 4 1
2009–10 22 6 5 2 – 27 8
2010–11 29 14 2 0 9 4 40 18
2011–12 12 6 3 3 2 0 17 9
Total 67 27 10 5 11 4 88 36
Last Update: 6 December 2011[4]

References

  1. ^ Alfirević, Slaven (14 January 2009). "Siniša Šošo se vratio u Hajduk!" (in Croatian). Sportnet.hr. http://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/Hajduk/tabid/83/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/37989/Default.aspx. Retrieved 27 May 2011. 
  2. ^ Jurišić, Bernard (22 April 2009). "Rekordna pobjeda mogla biti i veća" (in Croatian). Sportnet.hr. http://www.hrsport.net/vijesti/375831/nogomet-1-hnl/rekordna-pobjeda-mogla-biti-i-veca. Retrieved 27 May 2011. 
  3. ^ Jurišić, Bernard (31 May 2009). "Svakome po poluvrijeme i bod" (in Croatian). Sportnet.hr. http://www.hrsport.net/vijesti/377842/nogomet-1-hnl/svakome-po-poluvrijeme-i-bod. Retrieved 27 May 2011. 
  4. ^ "Ante Vukusic > Club Matches". worldfootball.net. http://www.worldfootball.net/spieler_profil/ante-vukusic/2/. Retrieved 6 December 2011. 

External links

HNK Hajduk Split – current squad