Robert Ljubičić
Croatian footballer (born 1999)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Ljubičić (born 14 July 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Austrian Bundesliga club LASK, on loan from Greek Super League side AEK Athens.[2] Born in Austria, he represents Croatia internationally.
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Ljubičić with Dinamo Zagreb in 2022 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 14 July 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | Vienna, Austria | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
LASK (on loan from AEK Athens) | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2005–2006 | Favoritner AC | ||
| 2006–2009 | Rapid Wien | ||
| 2009–2014 | Wiener Sportklub | ||
| 2014–2018 | AKA St. Pölten | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018 | St. Pölten II | 11 | (1) |
| 2018–2021 | St. Pölten | 92 | (7) |
| 2021–2022 | Rapid Wien | 27 | (3) |
| 2022–2024 | Dinamo Zagreb | 49 | (3) |
| 2024– | AEK Athens | 47 | (9) |
| 2026– | → LASK (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2019 | Croatia U20 | 2 | (0) |
| 2020 | Austria U21 | 1 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 31 July 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 4 September 2020 | |||
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 Super League 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
Career statistics
- As of match played 31 July 2026
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | 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[b] | 1 | — | 40 | 4 | |
| Dinamo Zagreb | 2022–23 | Prva HNL | 33 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 12[c] | 1 | 1[d] | 0 | 50 | 4 |
| 2023–24 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11[e] | 1 | 1[d] | 0 | 26 | 2 | ||
| Total | 49 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 23 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 76 | 6 | ||
| AEK Athens | 2023–24 | Super League Greece | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 11 | 3 | ||
| 2024–25 | 22 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4[f] | 1 | — | 29 | 3 | |||
| 2025–26 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7[f] | 0 | — | 28 | 4 | |||
| Total | 51 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 1 | — | 68 | 10 | |||
| LASK (loan) | 2026–27 | Austrian Bundesliga | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 220 | 22 | 20 | 2 | 45 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 287 | 28 | ||
- One appearance in UEFA Champions League, eight appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League, two appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
- Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- Appearance in Croatian Football Super Cup
- Four appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League, five appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
- Appearances in UEFA Conference League
Honours
Dinamo Zagreb
AEK Athens
