Leon Benko's wondergoal against Hajduk Split and subsequently call to the Croatian National Team is symbollic of his meteoric rise since quitting Belgian side Kortrijk to return to his homeland. Spells with Slaven Belupo and currently HNK Rijeka have gone extremely well and the player is scoring a goal per game. Benko originally impressed with NK Varteks Varazdin, but didn't take advantage of big moves to Nuremburg and Standard Liege. Benko started well at Kortrijk, but faded leading to a switch home to Belupo.
Benko was again being linked in the summer to a move to a unnamed German club, however he is centre of all that is good about Europa Liga qualifiers HNK Rijeka where he is unquestionably the best goalscorer in the division. Benko's change in fortunes is an example to many players transferred abroad to keep Croatian clubs afloat but have not found life easy outside Croatia. Currently Andrej Keric and Bojan Vrucina appear to demonstrate similar signs of Benko's career abroad. Both have found the net in their foreys abroad, but would appear more suited to a return to Croatia. Keric, 27 was a top striker in the Czech Republic with Slovan Liberec and gained a transfer to the best side in the country Sparta Prague, but has been dropped down their B side after losing his form. Keric will be looking for a new club in January and a return to Croatia may do the player little harm.
Bojan Vrucina has less issues at Kaposvari, but needs to find the net more regularly to make a career in Hungary. Ahmad Sharbini meanwhile has joined Ivan Katilinic's ambitious project in Bosnia's second division with leaders Jedinstvo Bihac. Mario Carevic, 31 is still left without a club. RNK Split are crying out for such a playmaker, but have been resistant to make a move with Ante Vitaic still on the treatment table.
Benko was again being linked in the summer to a move to a unnamed German club, however he is centre of all that is good about Europa Liga qualifiers HNK Rijeka where he is unquestionably the best goalscorer in the division. Benko's change in fortunes is an example to many players transferred abroad to keep Croatian clubs afloat but have not found life easy outside Croatia. Currently Andrej Keric and Bojan Vrucina appear to demonstrate similar signs of Benko's career abroad. Both have found the net in their foreys abroad, but would appear more suited to a return to Croatia. Keric, 27 was a top striker in the Czech Republic with Slovan Liberec and gained a transfer to the best side in the country Sparta Prague, but has been dropped down their B side after losing his form. Keric will be looking for a new club in January and a return to Croatia may do the player little harm.
Bojan Vrucina has less issues at Kaposvari, but needs to find the net more regularly to make a career in Hungary. Ahmad Sharbini meanwhile has joined Ivan Katilinic's ambitious project in Bosnia's second division with leaders Jedinstvo Bihac. Mario Carevic, 31 is still left without a club. RNK Split are crying out for such a playmaker, but have been resistant to make a move with Ante Vitaic still on the treatment table.
