6/24/2024

LASK signs new Defender from Eintracht Frankfurt

The LASK presents its third new signing of the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old defender Hrvoje Smolcic from the German Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt is joining the Athletes on loan, with the club also holding a permanent transfer option.

Smolcic spent the past two seasons with the 2022 Europa League winners from Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga and played a total of 32 games for the Hessians, including three appearances in the UEFA Champions League. Before that, the 1.85 m tall Croatian had worn the jersey of HNK Rijeka for eight years. In this period he won the Croatian Cup in 2019 and 2020.

Smolcic also gained experience in the national team, making eight appearances for the Croatian U21 team, where he also encountered LASK striker Marin Ljubicic as a teammate. The left-footer is considered versatile, having played in both a back three and a back four defense and will reinforce the Athletes on a loan basis for the upcoming season. In addition, LASK has a permanent transfer option for the center-back.

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We are very pleased to have secured a player of his caliber for LASK. Hrvoje has already proven his qualities at the highest level in the Champions League and the German Bundesliga, and he will greatly benefit our game as a left-footer with his strengths in build-up play, tackling and aerial duels. He is still a young player who can develop even further with us.

Radovan Vujanovic, CSO

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I can’t wait to play for LASK. I had already heard a lot of positive things about the club and was extremely impressed when I first came to the Raiffeisen Arena. It is impressive what has been developed here in recent years. We find outstanding conditions and a perfect infrastructure; LASK is a perfect match for me. I am looking forward to this new challenge and will do everything I can to help the team with my qualities.

Hrvoje Smolcic