Ante Vukušić (; born 4 June 1991) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Croatian Third Football League club Junak Sinj.
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.Izkusil je pekel, nato z božjo pomočjo zaprl usta vsem, ki so se mu posmehovali siol.net
Hajduk Split In January 2009, Vukušić 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 Europa 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 (loan) In February 2014, Vukušić moved to Lausanne-Sport on a six-month loan.
Waasland-Beveren (loan) In August 2014, Vukušić moved to Waasland-Beveren on a loan.
Greuther Fürth Vukušić moved to Greuther Fürth on 29 January 2016. On 7 May 2016 he extended his contract until June 2018.
Tosno On 5 June 2017, Vukušić signed a two-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, Vukušić signed with Polish club Olimpia Grudziądz. In the summer of 2018 he left Olimpia Grudziądz.
Krško After leaving Grudziądz, Vukušić signed with Slovenian PrvaLiga club NK Krško, where he scored 4 goals in 27 appearances during the 2018–19 season.
FCSB On 28 January 2021, it was announced that Vukušić signed with Romanian club FCSB.
International career In May 2011, Vukušić was first called up to the Croatian senior team by manager Slaven Bilić for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match against Georgia, but was later moved to the 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 debut for the senior team under manager Igor Štimac as a second-half substitute in a 4–2 defeat against Switzerland.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHajduk Split2008–09Prva HNL41——412009–10Prva HNL22652—2782010–11Prva HNL2914209440182011–12Prva HNL2412332029152012–13Prva HNL53—4295Total843610515610947Pescara2012–13Serie A19100—1912013–14Serie B3010—40Total22110—231Lausanne-Sport2013–14Swiss Super League134——134Waasland-Beveren2014–15Belgian Pro League15310—163Pescara2015–16Serie B1010—20Greuther Fürth2015–162. Bundesliga142——1422016–172. Bundesliga7010—80Total21210—222Olimpia Grudziądz2017–18I liga90——90Krško2018–19Slovenian PrvaLiga27431—305Olimpija Ljubljana2019–20Slovenian PrvaLiga3526104140272020–21Slovenian PrvaLiga701120101Total422621615028FCSB2020–21Liga I5010—60Messina2021–22Serie C12210—132Tuzla City2021–22Premier League of BH6020—80Kolubara2022–23Serbian SuperLiga27410—284Varaždin2023–24Croatian Football League9010—100Career total2938225721733996
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsCroatia201210Total10
Honours Hajduk Split Croatian Cup: 2009–10
Individual Slovenian PrvaLiga top scorer: 2019–20 Serbian SuperLiga Player of the Week: 2022–23 (Round 8)
References
External links