Luka Vrbančić
Croatian footballer (born 2005)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Luka Vrbančić (born 4 July 2005) is a Croatian footballer who plays as a midfielder for NK Osijek. [1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 4 July 2005 | ||
| Place of birth | Zagreb, Croatia | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | NK Osijek | ||
| Number | 21 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024–2025 | Dinamo Zagreb | 6 | (1) |
| 2024 | → Dubrava (dual registration) | 11 | (1) |
| 2024 | → Lokomotiva Zagreb (loan) | 26 | (3) |
| 2025– | Osijek | 17 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2023- | Croatia U19 | 6 | (3) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 26 May 2026 | |||
Club career
A product of the Dinamo Zagreb academy, he joined the club when he was ten years-old. He plays as a central midfielder.[2] He made a goalscoring debut for Dynamo Zagreb in an away cup match against NK Ponikve, helping them secure a 4-1 victory on 27 September 2023.[3][4]
He joined NK Dubrava on loan in January 2024, making his debut in 2.HNL on 25 January 2024 against NK Jarun Zagreb.[5] After returning to Dynamo, he scored a 93rd minute goal in a 3-2 win over Slaven Belupo that clinched the 1.HNL league title for Dynamo in May 2024.[6]
In September 2024, he joined NK Lokomotiva Zagreb on loan to gain further first team experience.[7] He made his debut for his new club away in the Croatian Football Cup against NK Samobor in a 4-2 win, on 11 September 2024.[8] He made his league debut three days later in a 2-0 NHL win against NK Istra 1961.[9] He scored his first goal for Lokomotiva in a 5-1 away defeat to Dinamo Zagreb on 28 September 2024.[10]
Style of play
Due to his style of play and appearance, including his red hair colour, he has been compared to English and former Manchester United footballer Paul Scholes.[11]
International career
He is a Croatia youth international.[12] He scored for the Croatia national under-18 football team against England U18 in a 2-1 defeat on 22 March 2023.[13] He made his debut for the Croatia U19 team on 15 November 2023, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over Armenia U19.[14] In October 2024, he was called up to the Croatia national under-21 football team by head coach Ivica Olić.[15]