Unexpectedly joins the ranks of a fresh team: Eintracht Cup champion's new signing.
Ante Rebić Returns to Croatia's Top League After a Rollercoaster Career
Footballer Ante Rebić is set to join Hajduk Split on a two-year contract, marking a significant return to Croatian football after several years of playing abroad. The deal, reportedly worth around 450,000 euros annually with bonuses for winning titles, comes after a series of challenges that saw Rebić's market value drop from a high of 40 million euros to just one million[1][3].
Rebić, 31, began his career in Croatia but spent most of his career in Serie A and other European leagues, playing for clubs such as Fiorentina, RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt, AC Milan, Beşiktaş, and Lecce[2]. After leaving Lecce as a free agent in mid-2025, Hajduk Split moved to sign him, aiming to bolster their squad and bring back an experienced Croatian international[3].
The transfer was briefly put on hold in late July 2025, but the most recent updates confirm that the deal is proceeding[5][4]. This move can be seen as a career comeback after recent contract terminations and less stable spells, especially following his contract termination with Beşiktaş in July 2024 and a brief stint at Lecce[2].
Rebić's return to Croatia offers him a chance to revitalize his career locally after years of moves across major European clubs. It is a fresh start for the once-heralded Pokal hero who scored a brace in the 2018 DFB-Pokal final against FC Bayern, making him a Frankfurt legend[1]. Hajduk Split hopes that Rebić will lead the club forward as a sporting leader[6].
As Rebić embarks on this new chapter of his career, he may still find his old strength in his hometown. The club and its fans are eagerly anticipating the return of the former Eintracht Frankfurt star, who reached the World Cup final with Croatia just a few weeks after his Pokal victory[1].
References:
- BBC Sport
- Goal
- ESPN
- Sportske Novosti
- Croatia Week
- Croatia Times
Ante Rebić, now a veteran footballer, is heading back to Croatian football by joining Hajduk Split, marking a return to the European leagues that once hosted his illustrious career. This transfer, reportedly worth around 450,000 euros annually, signals a revitalization of his career after a series of challenges resulted in a decrease in his market value.
