Ante Rukavina set to move on loan to FC Utrecht
Ante Rukavina Profile
Ante Rukavina (born 18 June 1986) is a Croatian footballer currently playing for Dinamo Zagreb. He also played at Šibenik, Hajduk Split and Panathinaikos earlier in his career.
He started his career with his hometown club HNK Šibenik. He was linked to Lyon who offered 12 million euros for Rukavina, but the deal never materialized. Instead, he moved to the Croatian Prva HNL side Hajduk Split in 2007. On 5 July 2008, he signed for the Greek side Panathinaikos FC who saw him as a 'useful addition to their offensive lineup for the next season', considering him to be an 'impressive young prospect'. The 4-year deal was reportedly worth €2.8M.
He started his career with his hometown club HNK Šibenik. He was linked to Lyon who offered 12 million euros for Rukavina, but the deal never materialized. Instead, he moved to the Croatian Prva HNL side Hajduk Split in 2007. On 5 July 2008, he signed for the Greek side Panathinaikos FC who saw him as a 'useful addition to their offensive lineup for the next season', considering him to be an 'impressive young prospect'. The 4-year deal was reportedly worth €2.8M.
Dinamo Zagreb
On 26 July 2010, Rukavina returned to Croatia and signed for champions Dinamo Zagreb in a transfer worth €700,000.
He made his debut for the club on 4 August 2010 at home to Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol in the return leg of the third qualifying round for the UEFA Champions League. On 7 August 2010, he made his domestic league debut for the club in a 1-1 draw at NK Varaždin, netting the opening goal of the match in the 5th minute. Later that month, he scored a brace to give the club a 2-0 win at Hungarian Győr FC in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-offs. He went on to make five appearances in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win at home to Villarreal on 16 September 2010. On 18 July 2012, Rukavina scored a last-minute goal against Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad in a Champions League match to help his team to a 1:1 draw. He also netted twice in the return leg held a week later, which was won in a dramatic fashion by the Croatian side by a score of 3:2.
He played for the Croatian national under-21 team between 2007 and 2008, Rukavina was called up to the senior side squad for the first time on 12 March 2007,but to date has not appeared for his country at full international level.
He made his debut for the club on 4 August 2010 at home to Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol in the return leg of the third qualifying round for the UEFA Champions League. On 7 August 2010, he made his domestic league debut for the club in a 1-1 draw at NK Varaždin, netting the opening goal of the match in the 5th minute. Later that month, he scored a brace to give the club a 2-0 win at Hungarian Győr FC in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-offs. He went on to make five appearances in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win at home to Villarreal on 16 September 2010. On 18 July 2012, Rukavina scored a last-minute goal against Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad in a Champions League match to help his team to a 1:1 draw. He also netted twice in the return leg held a week later, which was won in a dramatic fashion by the Croatian side by a score of 3:2.
He played for the Croatian national under-21 team between 2007 and 2008, Rukavina was called up to the senior side squad for the first time on 12 March 2007,but to date has not appeared for his country at full international level.