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by | Mar 29, 2018 | Vernonia

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Robert Ljubičić (born 14 July 1999) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Greek Super League club AEK Athens.[2]

Club career

After three full seasons at St. Pölten in the Austrian Bundesliga, it was announced on 8 March 2021 that Ljubičić would join Rapid Wien in the summer of 2021 on a three-year deal.[3] His brother, Dejan, was captain of the club at the time, but his departure to Köln in Germany was announced in April.[4] He made his debut at Rapid in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League against Sparta Prague on 20 July, in his brother's position of central midfield.

On 13 June 2022, HNL club Dinamo Zagreb announced the signing of Ljubičić.[2] On 11 October 2022, he scored his first Champions League goal in a 1–1 draw against Red Bull Salzburg.[5]

AEK Athens

On 31 January 2024, Ljubičić joined Superleague Greece side AEK Athens for a fee of €4 million, becoming the club's second most expensive acquisition, only behind Orbelín Pineda. [6] He signed a contract running until the summer of 2029. [7] Roughly 20 days later, he scored his first goal in a 3-0 home win against Kifisia. [8]

International career

Ljubičić is of Bosnian Croat descent, so he was eligible to represent Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. He was capped for the Croatia U20 team in 2019, but decided to switch allegiances to Austria U21 team in 2020. He has not made a senior international debut for either country as of August 2021.

In November 2022, Ljubičić opted to represent Croatia instead of Austria.[9]

Style of play

In Austria, Ljubičić mainly played as a defensive midfielder. However, after joining Dinamo Zagreb, head coach Ante Čačić moved him to the position of left-back. Initially unwanted position, after half a year with Dinamo, Ljubičić stated that he adapted to the position and now prefers it.[10]

Personal life

His older brother Dejan is also a professional footballer.[11] They were born in Austria to Bosnian Croat parents from Busovača.[12][13]

Career statistics

As of 30 December 2023
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
St. Pölten 2017–18 Austrian Bundesliga 5 1 — — — 5 1
2018–19 26 1 3 1 — — 29 2
2019–20 29 3 3 0 — — 32 3
2020–21 32 2 1 0 — — 33 2
Total 92 7 7 1 — — 99 8
Rapid Wien 2021–22 Austrian Bundesliga 27 3 2 0 11 1 — 40 4
Dinamo Zagreb 2022–23 Prva HNL 33 2 4 1 12 1 — 49 4
2023–24 14 1 0 0 11 1 — 25 2
Total 47 3 4 1 23 2 0 0 74 6
Career total 166 13 13 2 34 3 0 0 213 18

Honours

Dinamo Zagreb

References

  1. ^ "Robert Ljubičić". AEK ATHENS. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Robert Ljubičić novi igrač Dinama!". gnkdinamo.hr (in Croatian). 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Robert Ljubicic confirms his future contract with Rapid". SK Rapid. 8 March 2021.
  4. ^ Huber, Alexander (26 April 2021). "Dejan Ljubicic wechselt von Rapid zu Köln - und in die 2. Liga?". Kurier.
  5. ^ "Dinamo Zagreb 1–1 Salzburg". UEFA. 11 October 2022.
  6. ^ "ΑΕΚ μεταγραφές: Αυτό είναι το deal με την Ντινάμο για τον Λιούμπισιτς" (in Greek). www.sport24.gr. 31 January 2024.
  7. ^ "ΑΕΚ, μεταγραφές: Ανακοίνωσε την απόκτηση του Λιούμπισιτς μέχρι το 2029" (in Greek). www.sport24.gr. 31 January 2024.
  8. ^ "ΑΕΚ - Κηφισιά 3-0: Με καυτό Γκαρσία και Λιούμπιτσιτς λύγισε τους νεοφώτιστους των δέκα παικτών στην OPAP Arena" (in Greek). www.sport24.gr. 18 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Hrvatska ima novog igrača". 8 November 2022.
  10. ^ "Ljubičić: Neki nisu shvatili moj dolazak u Dinamo".
  11. ^ "Robert Ljubičić confirms his future contract with Rapid". SK Rapid.
  12. ^ alexander.huber (21 October 2017). "Ljubicic: "Richtig böse war ich schon lange nicht"".
  13. ^ Olivari, Davorin (15 June 2022). "Velike ambicije novog Dinamovog pojačanja: 'Bilo bi mi drago da dobijem poziv za hrvatsku reprezentaciju'". Sportske novosti (in Croatian). Retrieved 15 June 2022.
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