Luka Ivanušec (foto: uradna spletna stran kluba)
Luka Ivanušec has returned to Dinamo Zagreb after terminating his Feyenoord contract, signing a three-year deal with an option for another season.
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Luka Ivanušec is officially a Dinamo Zagreb player again, completing his return to Maksimir three years after leaving the Croatian champions for Feyenoord.
The 27-year-old Croatia international mutually terminated his contract with the Rotterdam club and therefore returns to Dinamo as a free agent. Ivanušec has signed a three-year contract in Zagreb with an option for a further season.
Ivanušec returns after difficult Feyenoord spell
Ivanušec left Dinamo for Feyenoord in August 2023 after establishing himself as one of the leading players in Croatian football. His spell in the Netherlands did not develop as hoped, however, and he was unable to establish himself as a consistently important player in Rotterdam.
He spent last season on loan at PAOK, but the Greek club decided against activating their option to sign him permanently. Ivanušec subsequently returned to Feyenoord but was left out of the squad for the opening three league matches of the new campaign, eventually leading both sides to agree on an early termination of his contract.
The Croatia international made no attempt to hide his delight at returning to familiar surroundings.
"I'm very happy to be here again. I'm delighted that we managed to sort everything out and I can't wait to start training and playing with the team and to continue winning together," Ivanušec said.
"I'm more mature and experienced now"
Ivanušec believes his three years abroad have changed him as a player and person. He now returns to Dinamo as one of the more experienced members of the squad and believes he can also help the club's younger players.
"I think I'm more mature and experienced now and that I can help the younger players. I know Dinamo very well and watched every match I could. I know all the players and what they're capable of. I think we have a very good team and that we'll look very good both in Europe and in the league," he said.
Ivanušec originally joined Dinamo from Lokomotiva in 2019 and developed into one of the club's key attacking players during four seasons at Maksimir. He won domestic titles and represented the Zagreb side in both the Champions League and Europa League before moving to the Netherlands.
His return also gives Dinamo another technically gifted and experienced option alongside Miha Zajc. After a difficult period abroad, Ivanušec now gets the opportunity to rebuild his momentum at the club where he previously enjoyed some of the best football of his career.