Haris Vučkić

Haris Vučkić (born 21 August 1992) is a Slovenian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Segunda División club Zaragoza and the Slovenia national team.[3]

Haris Vučkić
Vučkić playing for Cardiff City in 2012
Personal information
Date of birth (1992-08-21) 21 August 1992[1][2]
Place of birth Ljubljana, Slovenia
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Zaragoza
Number 9
Youth career
Domžale
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2009 Domžale 5 (0)
2009–2017 Newcastle United 7 (0)
2012 → Cardiff City (loan) 5 (1)
2013–2014 → Rotherham United (loan) 22 (4)
2015 → Rangers (loan) 15 (8)
2015–2016 → Wigan Athletic (loan) 15 (2)
2016–2017 → Bradford City (loan) 10 (1)
2017–2020 Twente 44 (15)
2020– Zaragoza 13 (0)
National team‡
2007–2009 Slovenia U17[lower-alpha 1] 12 (4)
2009 Slovenia U19[lower-alpha 1] 4 (0)
2010–2014 Slovenia U21 16 (4)
2012– Slovenia 10 (5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 28 January 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2020

Vučkić has represented Slovenia international youth selections in every category. He made his senior debut against Scotland on 29 February 2012.

Club career

Domžale

Born in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Vučkić played football at NK Domžale from Domžale, a small town in central Slovenia, during his youth.

A few months short of his 16th birthday he made a debut for the club against Celje in a Slovenian PrvaLiga match on 24 May 2008 coming on as a late substitute.[4] As he was too young to play according to the Football Association of Slovenia rules, his club was fined.[5][6][7] After turning 16 in August 2008 he was finally promoted to the club's first squad where he would go on to play another four league games, before signing for English Premier League club Newcastle United.[8]

Newcastle United

On 16 January 2009, it was confirmed that Vučkić would sign for Premier League side Newcastle United for a substantial fee and signed a three-and-a-half-year deal at St James' Park.[9] At the time, he was regarded as one of Europe's brightest talents and reports suggested he underwent a trial at A.C. Milan.[10]

Vučkić made his first appearance for Newcastle's reserve team on 16 February 2009 when he came off the bench to score the winning goal against Blackburn reserves, curling a left-footed shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.[11] He scored his first goal for the U18 team in his league debut in a 4–2 away win at Derby.[12]

He has scored three goals altogether for the reserves, two league goals for the U18s and five more in 2009–10 pre-season friendlies. Vučkić made his Newcastle debut on 26 August 2009 as a late substitute in a League Cup tie with Huddersfield Town, where he played on the left wing. Five days later, Vučkić came off the bench to replace striker Nile Ranger in a 1–0 victory over Leicester City. This was to be his first league appearance for the club.[13]

Vučkić scored his first senior goal for Newcastle against Carlisle United in a friendly on 17 July 2010 with a curled effort into the bottom left hand corner.[14] In the 2010–2011 campaign, Newcastle manager Chris Hughton gave many of the youngsters a chance in the Football League Cup, Vučkić played in the second round tie against Accrington Stanley in central midfield alongside fellow youngster Ryan Donaldson.[15] After Newcastle progressed with a 3–2 victory, he played in the third round away game to Chelsea, where Newcastle overcame expectations to win 4–3 in a thrilling encounter.[16] He continued his impressive display against Arsenal in the League Cup fourth round getting the Man of the Match award despite Newcastle losing 4–0.[17] In January 2011, Vučkić signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with Newcastle.[18]

On 26 July 2011, Vučkić went on to score again for Newcastle, scoring the final goal in a 3–0 win over MLS side Columbus Crew.[19] In Newcastle's next pre-season friendly against Leeds United at Elland Road, Vučkić went on to score Newcastle's second goal and provided an impressive display since coming on despite Newcastle losing the game 3–2.[20] He made his Premier League debut on 28 August 2011 against Fulham as a 78th-minute substitute,[21] but was himself substituted seven minutes later with a suspected dislocated finger.[22] He made his comeback for the team as a substitute four months later in a 0–0 draw with Swansea City. He went on to make his first Premiership start for Newcastle against West Bromwich Albion on 21 December and won plaudits for his performance, which included hitting the woodwork from 30 yards and forcing a fine save from the opposition goalkeeper.[23]

On 30 August, Vučkić made his continental début for Newcastle, coming on as a substitute for an injured Ryan Taylor against Greek side Atromitos, scoring the winning goal in the process, sending Newcastle through to the UEFA Europa League group stages.[24]

Loan to Cardiff City
Vučkić playing for Cardiff City in February 2012

On 9 February 2012, Vučkić joined Cardiff City on a one-month loan.[25] He made his debut in the 2–1 loss to Leicester City on 11 February, but only managed to stay on half the game before being substituted. He scored his first professional goal the following game against Peterborough United. He returned to Newcastle on 12 March, due to injuries at the club and both player and Cardiff wanted him to return to the club however this didn't materialise due to consistent injuries at Newcastle.[26]

Loan to Rotherham United

On 28 November 2013, Vučkić joined League One side Rotherham United on loan until 2 January 2014.[27][28] He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win over Bradford City on 26 December 2013.[29] By the end of January 2014, Rotherham extended Vučkić's loan deal to the end of the season,[30] during which time he helped them defeat Leyton Orient in the play-off final at Wembley to win promotion to the Championship.[31]

Loan to Rangers

On 2 February 2015, Vučkić was one of five Newcastle players who signed for then Scottish Championship side Rangers on loan until the end of the 2014–15 season.[32] Vučkić had spoken with Newcastle manager John Carver before deciding to move to Scotland; "I wasn't in his plans at the moment and he advised me to go and play football."[33] He scored on his debut for Rangers, a 2–1 defeat against Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup on 8 February 2015[34] and went on to score nine more goals before returning to Tyneside.

Loan to Wigan Athletic

Vučkić joined Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan in September 2015.[35]

Loan to Bradford City

On the last day of the summer transfer window 2016, Vučkić was reunited with former Rangers boss Stuart McCall at Bradford City on a six-month loan deal.[36] He scored his first goal for Bradford in an EFL Trophy tie against Bury on 4 October 2016.[37] The loan ended on 3 January 2017.[38]

Twente

On 23 June 2017, Vučkić signed for Dutch side Twente on a free transfer.[39]

Zaragoza

On 19 August 2020, Vučkić signed a three-year contract with Spanish side Zaragoza.[40][41]

International career

In September 2008, Vučkić played for the Slovenian under-17 team in the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers, where he scored three goals in three games against Turkey, Russia and Malta.[42][43][44] Despite being only 16 years old, Vučkić played for Slovenia during the finals of the 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, held in the Ukraine in July 2009.[45][46]

On 10 August 2010, Vučkić made his first appearance for the Slovenia under-21 team.[47]

On 1 October 2010, he was summoned into a 23-man squad of the Slovenia national team for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying matches against Faroe Islands and Estonia that was scheduled on 8 and 12 October 2010.[48] Vučkić was on the stands for the whole 90 minutes of the match against Faroe Islands and did not travel to Estonia as he had returned to the under-21 team before that.

Vučkić made his debut for the senior national team on 29 February 2012, replacing Valter Birsa in the 61st minute in a friendly match against Scotland.[24][49]

On 7 October 2020, he scored his first goal in a 4–0 victory over San Marino.

Personal life

Vučkić is the younger brother of Alen, who is also a footballer. Vučkić was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia. As his father is of Bosnian descent,[50] it was reported that Bosnia and Herzegovina wanted him on their team.[51] However, Vučkić has rejected the claims of Bosnian media that he is about to switch national allegiances to Bosnia and stated that he is a Slovenian national team player and will be the same in the future.[52] He has also made public statements saying that he will always be available for the Slovenia national team selections if called upon.[53] After continuous pressure from both the media and the fans – primarily from Bosnia – upon the then 18-year-old, he made an open statement about the matter:

I will not hide that I am proud of my ancestry. I am proud of the fact that I am Bosnian thanks to my parents, but I am equally proud of the fact that I was born and grew up in Slovenia. Yes, I am proud of being Slovenian as well and Slovenia is my country. I made my first steps here, went to school here and have all my friends here. It would be very hard to say no to Slovenia, although it is nice to know that someone else wants you too, as that means I am on the right track, however, I never had any doubts on whom I want to play for. Rumours that are being spread in public do not concern me as I have decided a long time ago on whom I wish to play for.

— Haris Vučkić when asked if he would follow the example of certain players who were born and raised in one country but played for another.[54]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 5 January 2021[1]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Domžale 2007–08 Slovenian PrvaLiga 1000—000010
2008–09 Slovenian PrvaLiga 4000—000040
Total 5000—000050
Newcastle United 2008–09 Premier League 000000——00
2009–10 Championship 200020——40
2010–11 Premier League 000030——30
2011–12 Premier League 400010——50
2012–13 Premier League 0000102[lower-alpha 2]1—31
2013–14 Premier League 000010——10
2014–15 Premier League 101010——30
Total 7010902100191
Cardiff City (loan) 2011–12 Championship 510000——51
Rotherham United (loan) 2013–14 League One 2240000—4[lower-alpha 3]0264
Rangers (loan) 2014–15 Scottish Championship 1581100—6[lower-alpha 4]0229
Wigan Athletic (loan) 2015–16 League One 1521000—1[lower-alpha 5]0172
Bradford City (loan) 2016–17 League One 1011000—3[lower-alpha 5]3144
Twente 2017–18 Eredivisie 12331———154
2018–19 Eerste Divisie 7100———71
2019–20 Eredivisie 251110———2611
Total 4415410000004816
Real Zaragoza 2020–21 Segunda División 13020———150
Career total 13631102902114317137
  1. Official UEFA competitive matches only
  2. Appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  3. Appearances in the Football League One play-offs
  4. Appearances in the Scottish Championship play-offs
  5. Appearances in the Football League Trophy

International
As of match played 18 November 2020[55][56]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Slovenia
201210
201920
202075
Total105

International goals
Slovenia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Vučkić goal.[55][56]
List of international goals scored by Haris Vučkić
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
17 October 2020Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia6 San Marino2–04–0Friendly
211 October 2020Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo7 Kosovo1–01–02020–21 UEFA Nations League C
314 October 2020Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova8 Moldova2–04–0
43–0
54–0

Honours

Twente

References
  1. Haris Vuckic at Soccerbase
  2. UEFA.com. "Haris Vučkič - Slovenia - UEFA Nations League". UEFA.com. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  3. Haris Vučkić at WorldFootball.net
  4. "Zapisnik: Domžale – Celje" (in Slovenian). Slovenian PrvaLiga. 24 May 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  5. "Zapisnik obravnave disciplinskega sodnika NZS" (PDF) (in Slovenian). Football Association of Slovenia. 11 June 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  6. "Zalar prijavil Domžale". Ekipa (in Slovenian). 3 June 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  7. "Klarič kaznoval Domžale". Ekipa (in Slovenian). 11 June 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  8. "Statistika sezone 08/09" (in Slovenian). Slovenian PrvaLiga. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  9. O'Rourke, Peter (16 January 2009). "Magpies sign Slovenian starlet". Sky Sports. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  10. "Vuckic flattered by Utd link". Sky Sports. 21 April 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  11. "Slovenian Supersub Snatches Victory For United". 16 February 2009. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2009.
  12. "Vuckic On Target In Toon Ram Raid". 22 February 2009. Archived from the original on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 23 February 2009.
  13. "Newcastle 4–3 Huddersfield". BBC Sport. 26 August 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  14. "Carlisle United 0–3 Newcastle United". Newcastle United. 17 July 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  15. "Accrington Stanley 2–3 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  16. "Chelsea 3–4 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  17. "Newcastle 0–4 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 27 October 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  18. "Vuckic signs new contract". Premier League. 8 January 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  19. "Columbus Crew 0–3 Newcastle United". Newcastle United. 27 July 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  20. "Leeds 3–2 Newcastle Unired". Newcastle United. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  21. "Newcastle 2–1 Fulham". BBC Sport. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  22. "Sunday Best". Newcastle United. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
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  29. "Bradford 0–1 Rotherham". BBC Sport. 26 December 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  30. "Newcastle United pair James Tavernier and Haris Vuckic to stay with Rotherham United". The Football League. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  31. Ryder, Lee (10 June 2014). "No deal between Rotherham and Newcastle United yet for Haris Vuckic or James Tavernier". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  32. "Rangers sign five Newcastle players on loan on deadline day". BBC Sport. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  33. "Haris Vuckic hopes to catch Hearts in title race". BBC Sport. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  34. Southwick, Andrew (8 February 2015). "Rangers 1–2 Raith Rovers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  35. "Newcastle striker Haris Vuckic joins Wigan on loan". Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  36. "Vuckic signs on loan". Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  37. "Report: Vučkić and Hiwula on target in trophy victory". Bradford City. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  38. http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/14998536.City_boss_eyeing_new_signings_as_trio_move_on/
  39. Jackie Smithfield (23 June 2017). "FC Twente confirm arrival of free agent from Newcastle United". The Mag. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  40. Uredništvo (19 August 2020). "URADNO: Nov izziv za Harisa Vučkića je Španija" (in Slovenian). Nogomania. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  41. "Jair, Vuckic, Chavarría y Bermejo, primeras incorporaciones del Real Zaragoza" [Jair, Vuckic, Chavarría and Bermejo, first additions of Real Zaragoza] (in Spanish). Real Zaragoza. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
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  43. "Slovenia 1–0 Russia". UEFA. 27 September 2008. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  44. "Malta 0–1 Slovenia". UEFA. 30 September 2008. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  45. "Ukraine 0–0 Slovenia". UEFA. 21 July 2009. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  46. "Slovenia 1–2 Switzerland". UEFA. 24 July 2009. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
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  50. Rok Plestenjak (17 February 2012). "'Slave' o Vučkiću: Kalkulacij se ne grem" (in Slovenian). Siol. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  51. "Bosanci Vučkiču mešajo glavo". Ekipa (in Slovenian). 6 October 2009. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  52. "Vuckic out for two months". Sky Sports. 22 October 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  53. "Haris Vučkić: "Vabilu v reprezentanco se bom vedno odzval"" (in Slovenian). Football Association of Slovenia. 3 March 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  54. "Bosna? Ponavljam, Slovenija!". Ekipa (in Slovenian). 11 December 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
  55. "Haris Vučkič". eu-football.info. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  56. "Vučkić, Haris". national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
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