Ante Vukušić


Ante Vukušić is a Croatian footballer who plays as a striker for Slovenian PrvaLiga club Olimpija Ljubljana.

Club career

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

Hajduk Split

In January 2009, he signed a professional -year contract with Hajduk keeping him at the club until summer 2014. He made his debut for the first team in a 5–0 win against Croatia Sesvete on 22 April 2009. In the last round of 2008–09 season, he scored his first goal in Prva HNL, a late equalizer against rivals Dinamo Zagreb.
In the 2009–10 season, Vukušić 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.
In the 2010–11 season, he scored 14 league goals in 29 appearances, finishing the season as the club's top scorer. He also scored four goals in nine UEFA Europe League appearances, the most memorable of which was a last minute winner against Anderlecht.
At the start of the 2011–12 season, 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. He ended the season with 12 league goals in 24 appearances and 15 total goals in 29 appearances which made him the top goalscorer at the club for the second year running.
The 2012-13 season at Hajduk started with another new coach, but Ante remained the first choice striker and captain at the club, despite his young age. He converted a penalty in Hajduk's 2–0 win over Italian club Internazionale at the San Siro.

Pescara

In August 2012, Vukušić was transferred to the newly promoted Serie A club Pescara for a reported fee of around €3.8 million. He was initially the first choice striker at the club, but ended up losing his place and managed just one goal in 19 appearances as Pescara were relegated.

Lausanne-Sport

In February 2014 he moved to Lausanne-Sport on a six-month loan.

Waasland-Beveren

In August 2014 he moved to Waasland-Beveren on a loan.

Greuther Fürth

He moved to Greuther Fürth on 29 January 2016. On 7 May 2016 he extended his contract until June 2018.

Tosno

On 5 June 2017, he signed a 2-year contract with the Russian Premier League club FC Tosno. Three weeks later, he underwent a surgery on his lungs, due to years-long medical problems.

Olimpia Grudziądz

On 7 March 2018, he signed with the Polish club Olimpia Grudziądz.
In the summer of 2018 he left Olimpia Grudziądz.

Krško

After leaving Grudziądz, he signed with Slovenian PrvaLiga club NK Krško, where he scored 4 goals in 27 appearances during the 2018–19 season.

International career

In May 2011, Vukušić was first called up to the national squad by manager Slaven Bilić for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match against Georgia, but was later moved to under-21 squad for their opening match in the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualifications, also against Georgia. On 15 August 2012, he made his full debut for the national side under manager Igor Štimac as a second-half substitute in a 4–2 defeat against Switzerland.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Player

Club

Hajduk Split