AHMAD SHARBINI
After following his younger brother Anas to Saudi Arabia, elder brother Ahmad Sharbini is keen to return back to Croatia with the in form Rijeka forward. Sharbini's hope of signing with Rijeka looks unlikely as Matejz Kek's side have more than enough strikers and are already struggling to find a place for Ivan Krstanovic, Danijel Cesarec, Josip Tadic and Drazen Plicic in their line up. Ahmad netted three times in Saudi Arabia with Al Wahda, but has been suffering a hang over from spending long periods on the bench at Hajduk Split. Ahmad needs a run of games. Slaven Belupo could prove a suitable fit as are the one side in need of a striker, although the player may also interest Dragovoljac.
ASIM SEHIC
At 32 years of age and out of sequence since leaving Al Faisaly, Asim Sehic may be suited to a deal with a Croatian second division side to find his form. However with numerous teams chasing promotion in a new and improved second tier, Sehic could give the edge many such teams need. Sehic, is best known from his time with Istra Pula 1961 and a return to his former club may not be out the question. Whilst Sandi Krizman. Srdjan Radonjic and Ivan Milicevic have started well Brazilian Jo and Mario Sacer still have a point to prove. Sehic is more likely to drop to the lower division however.
MARIO CAREVIC
Once tipped for greatness and with talent in the style of Aljosa Asanovic, Carevic has disappointed to reach the heights expected of him and at 31 years of age finds himself a free agent. Some good form in Belgium with Lokeron and Kortrijk will not have impressed many in Croatia where he was expected to be one of the leading players in the national team with Niko Kranjcar. Although Carevic has interest from OV Leuven it may be a time to return home, with RNK Split desperately in need of a midfielder with his creativity.
UPDATE: Carevic could sign for RNK Split following Ante Rebic's transfer to Fiorentina.
DINO DRPIC/ IVAN BOSNJAK
Off the field problems has overtaken the career of Dino Drpic who is once again a free agent and searching for a employer. After playing in Singapore, having been released by Rijeka some even doubt whether the 31 year old former Dinamo Zagreb skipper will even make a come back. HNL2 could be an option, with DPMM teammate Ivan Bosnjak. Once they made the sale of Mislav Orsic, Zapresic may be in position to make a deal for such players at Drpic. Since leaving the Maksimir Stadium, Drpic impressed in the Bundesliga with Karlsruher for half a season, but its been downhill since then in AEK Athens, Volyn of Ukraine and with Rijeka who were almost relegated before their revolution began.
UPDATE: Ivan Bosnjak set to sign a one year contract with former club Cibalia in HNL2
DRAGAN BLATNJAK
Following the impressive sale of Stipe Perica to FC Chelsea, NK Zadar have room for one more striker to add to in form Josip Ivancic and the evergreen Zelimir Terkes. Dragan Blatnjak, their former player who has enjoyed a strong career in Russia with Rostov and Khimki could be readied for a return to his former club, especially due to his association with agent Rene Sivoncic. Blatnjak played last season with NK Osijek, but failed to score and will need a run of games, but can also play in midfield.
GORAN RUBIL
Rubil's promising spell at Hajduk Split led him to a move to the Greek club Asteras Tripolis. However the defender, who can also play central midfield was seriously injured there and was released last season. Rubil may attract teams in HNL2, but at 32 is coming to the latter part of his career. Rubil began his career at Nantes and was a promising Croatian Under 21 international, but his spells abroad in France, Japan and home in Croatia with Rijeka have been a struggle. Rubil has not really had a run of games at the clubs he's played for.
ZDRAVKO POPOVIC
Along with Mario Carevic, Zdravko Popovic is probably the most attractive free agent available for Croatian clubs and it is still very possible he can gain a contract abroad. Still only 30, Popovic is a player who can provide goals, often of the spectacular nature and would boost most of the teams in HNL1. Slaven Belupo is essentially in need of a player like this. Ivan Katalinic is currently plodding on with the same strikers in hope of a turn in fortunes, but Popovic and possibly Ahmad Sharbini are the only two proven Croatian strikers out there that can give them the lift which Leon Benko provided when they signed him two seasons ago. A return to Greece or Cyprus is also possible for Popovic who scored six times last season for Simurq and has 21 goals from his time in Greek football. Popovic also scored 51 times in 62 games for Croatia Sesvete last time he was in his home country.
UPDATE: Popovic signs with reformed Greek giants AEK Athens in Greek Third Division.
DAVOR VUGRINEC
At 38, it appears there is no longer interest in HNL1 all time leading scorer Davor Vugrinec. There has been talk of a return to the newly reformed NK Varazdin, alongside former midfield teammate Miljenko Mumlek. Nevan Vukman, Ivan Rezic and Gordon Vuk have all accepted offers to return the club formerly known as Varteks. Vugrinec could also find a place in the improved Croatian second division with clubs such as Inter Zapresic and former side NK Zagreb still in need of goalscorers.
FILIP SKVORC
Former Varazdin striker Filip Skvorc is not counted on by Lokomotiva Zagreb this season and may be suited to dropping down to the Croatian second Division with Inter Zapresic a possible suitor for his services. Alongside Ivan Peko, he is need of regular first team football as Lokomotiva are looking elsewhere with Mario Situm, versatile Petar Misic, Ivan Lendric and Ante Budimir their preferred strikers for this season.
IVAN KLASNIC
33 Year old former Croatia international striker once again finds himself a free agent after suffering injury and health problems last season at Mainz where he scored 1 goal managing just three appearences. Klasnic's best spell in his career came during his time with Werder Bremen where he was considered one of the most deadly strikers in Germany. However after two kidney transplants, Klasnic had to reinvent himself as a penalty box finisher. He signed for Nantes, before showing better form in the English Premiership with Bolton Wanderers. Klasnic's spell in Mainz may turn off a number of top clubs, however he could give the edge to a number of ambitious German Bundesliga 2 club such as Koln, 1860 Munich. Klasnic alternatively could pursue a final swansong in the United States with a Croatia recall now looking unlikely.
After following his younger brother Anas to Saudi Arabia, elder brother Ahmad Sharbini is keen to return back to Croatia with the in form Rijeka forward. Sharbini's hope of signing with Rijeka looks unlikely as Matejz Kek's side have more than enough strikers and are already struggling to find a place for Ivan Krstanovic, Danijel Cesarec, Josip Tadic and Drazen Plicic in their line up. Ahmad netted three times in Saudi Arabia with Al Wahda, but has been suffering a hang over from spending long periods on the bench at Hajduk Split. Ahmad needs a run of games. Slaven Belupo could prove a suitable fit as are the one side in need of a striker, although the player may also interest Dragovoljac.
ASIM SEHIC
At 32 years of age and out of sequence since leaving Al Faisaly, Asim Sehic may be suited to a deal with a Croatian second division side to find his form. However with numerous teams chasing promotion in a new and improved second tier, Sehic could give the edge many such teams need. Sehic, is best known from his time with Istra Pula 1961 and a return to his former club may not be out the question. Whilst Sandi Krizman. Srdjan Radonjic and Ivan Milicevic have started well Brazilian Jo and Mario Sacer still have a point to prove. Sehic is more likely to drop to the lower division however.
MARIO CAREVIC
Once tipped for greatness and with talent in the style of Aljosa Asanovic, Carevic has disappointed to reach the heights expected of him and at 31 years of age finds himself a free agent. Some good form in Belgium with Lokeron and Kortrijk will not have impressed many in Croatia where he was expected to be one of the leading players in the national team with Niko Kranjcar. Although Carevic has interest from OV Leuven it may be a time to return home, with RNK Split desperately in need of a midfielder with his creativity.
UPDATE: Carevic could sign for RNK Split following Ante Rebic's transfer to Fiorentina.
DINO DRPIC/ IVAN BOSNJAK
Off the field problems has overtaken the career of Dino Drpic who is once again a free agent and searching for a employer. After playing in Singapore, having been released by Rijeka some even doubt whether the 31 year old former Dinamo Zagreb skipper will even make a come back. HNL2 could be an option, with DPMM teammate Ivan Bosnjak. Once they made the sale of Mislav Orsic, Zapresic may be in position to make a deal for such players at Drpic. Since leaving the Maksimir Stadium, Drpic impressed in the Bundesliga with Karlsruher for half a season, but its been downhill since then in AEK Athens, Volyn of Ukraine and with Rijeka who were almost relegated before their revolution began.
UPDATE: Ivan Bosnjak set to sign a one year contract with former club Cibalia in HNL2
DRAGAN BLATNJAK
Following the impressive sale of Stipe Perica to FC Chelsea, NK Zadar have room for one more striker to add to in form Josip Ivancic and the evergreen Zelimir Terkes. Dragan Blatnjak, their former player who has enjoyed a strong career in Russia with Rostov and Khimki could be readied for a return to his former club, especially due to his association with agent Rene Sivoncic. Blatnjak played last season with NK Osijek, but failed to score and will need a run of games, but can also play in midfield.
GORAN RUBIL
Rubil's promising spell at Hajduk Split led him to a move to the Greek club Asteras Tripolis. However the defender, who can also play central midfield was seriously injured there and was released last season. Rubil may attract teams in HNL2, but at 32 is coming to the latter part of his career. Rubil began his career at Nantes and was a promising Croatian Under 21 international, but his spells abroad in France, Japan and home in Croatia with Rijeka have been a struggle. Rubil has not really had a run of games at the clubs he's played for.
ZDRAVKO POPOVIC
Along with Mario Carevic, Zdravko Popovic is probably the most attractive free agent available for Croatian clubs and it is still very possible he can gain a contract abroad. Still only 30, Popovic is a player who can provide goals, often of the spectacular nature and would boost most of the teams in HNL1. Slaven Belupo is essentially in need of a player like this. Ivan Katalinic is currently plodding on with the same strikers in hope of a turn in fortunes, but Popovic and possibly Ahmad Sharbini are the only two proven Croatian strikers out there that can give them the lift which Leon Benko provided when they signed him two seasons ago. A return to Greece or Cyprus is also possible for Popovic who scored six times last season for Simurq and has 21 goals from his time in Greek football. Popovic also scored 51 times in 62 games for Croatia Sesvete last time he was in his home country.
UPDATE: Popovic signs with reformed Greek giants AEK Athens in Greek Third Division.
DAVOR VUGRINEC
At 38, it appears there is no longer interest in HNL1 all time leading scorer Davor Vugrinec. There has been talk of a return to the newly reformed NK Varazdin, alongside former midfield teammate Miljenko Mumlek. Nevan Vukman, Ivan Rezic and Gordon Vuk have all accepted offers to return the club formerly known as Varteks. Vugrinec could also find a place in the improved Croatian second division with clubs such as Inter Zapresic and former side NK Zagreb still in need of goalscorers.
FILIP SKVORC
Former Varazdin striker Filip Skvorc is not counted on by Lokomotiva Zagreb this season and may be suited to dropping down to the Croatian second Division with Inter Zapresic a possible suitor for his services. Alongside Ivan Peko, he is need of regular first team football as Lokomotiva are looking elsewhere with Mario Situm, versatile Petar Misic, Ivan Lendric and Ante Budimir their preferred strikers for this season.
IVAN KLASNIC
33 Year old former Croatia international striker once again finds himself a free agent after suffering injury and health problems last season at Mainz where he scored 1 goal managing just three appearences. Klasnic's best spell in his career came during his time with Werder Bremen where he was considered one of the most deadly strikers in Germany. However after two kidney transplants, Klasnic had to reinvent himself as a penalty box finisher. He signed for Nantes, before showing better form in the English Premiership with Bolton Wanderers. Klasnic's spell in Mainz may turn off a number of top clubs, however he could give the edge to a number of ambitious German Bundesliga 2 club such as Koln, 1860 Munich. Klasnic alternatively could pursue a final swansong in the United States with a Croatia recall now looking unlikely.
