Toni Fruk (foto: Uradni facebook profil kluba)
Liverpool and Milan scouts monitored Toni Fruk as the Rijeka midfielder scored a hat-trick in a 5–0 win over Hajduk, strengthening his transfer profile.
Toni Fruk produced the performance of his career as Rijeka crushed Hajduk Split 5–0 in the Adriatic derby, and several major European clubs were there to witness it.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder scored a sensational first-half hat-trick, striking in the 5th, 22nd and 32nd minute to put the match beyond doubt before the break. In the second half, Samuele Vignato added a fourth, while Luka Menalo made it 5–0 after an assist from Fruk, who dominated the game from start to finish.
According to Novi list, representatives from Liverpool, AC Milan, Udinese, Parma, Twente and Sassuolo were all in the stands at Rujevica, following Fruk’s development as well as monitoring Rokas Pukštas, Hajduk’s highly-rated young midfielder.
Fruk’s rise this season has been swift. Rijeka secured full ownership of his rights this summer by paying €4 million to Fiorentina for the remaining percentage of his future transfer. Despite expectations that he might be sold immediately, Fruk stayed — and his value has continued to climb. Transfermarkt now lists him at €9 million, and his contract runs until 2027.
The Croatian international was delighted after the match:
“We knew what conditions awaited us and wanted to press high from the start. That’s our strongest point. Everything opened up for us. I feel fantastic. Scoring a hat-trick so quickly and going 3–0 up at half-time is incredible.”
This season, Fruk has made 22 appearances across all competitions, scoring nine goals and adding one assist. In the Croatian top flight, he is now the league’s top scorer with seven goals, one ahead of Sandro Kulenović and Michele Šego.