Gabriel Rukavina

Gabriel Rukavina is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Prva HNL club Rijeka.^[2]

Gabriel Rukavina

Personal information
Date of birth	(2004-01-16) 16 January 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth	Zagreb, Croatia[1]
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Rijeka
Number	41
Youth career
0000–2021	Dinamo Zagreb
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2020–2022	Dinamo Zagreb II	27	(4)
2022–2024	Dinamo Zagreb	8	(0)
2024	→ Gorica (loan)	15	(2)
2024–	Rijeka	12	(1)
International career‡
2020	Croatia U16	2	(0)
2020–2021	Croatia U17	6	(0)
2021–2022	Croatia U18	7	(2)
2021–2023	Croatia U19	18	(4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 November 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 August 2023

Early and personal life

Rukavina was born in the Croatian capital Zagreb in January 2004. He is the son of former professional footballer and current manager Tomislav Rukavina.

Club career

Rukavina played for Dinamo Zagreb from a young age, and made his professional debut for the club's B team, coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute, in a 1–1 draw against Osijek II,^[3] in the Prva NL. Rukavina scored his first goal in a 2–2 draw away to Craoatia Zmijavci, after coming on at half-time for Ante Crnac.^[4] Rukavina would go on to make 27 appearances in the league, registering 4 goals, including a brace against Dugopolje in a 3–1 win,^[5]

Rukavina would be promoted to the first team the next season, and would make his first team debut in a 3–1 away win against NK Varaždin, coming on as a 89th minute sub for Luka Ivanušec.^[6] He would go on to make 5 more substitute appearances that season, helping the side to the 2022–23 Prva HNL title.

On 9 February 2024, Rukavina joined Gorica on loan until the end of the season.^[7]

Rukavina joined fellow Prva HNL club HNK Rijeka in July 2024, signing a four year contract with the club.^[8]

International career

Rukavina has competed for Croatia's U16, U17, U18 and U19 teams, amassing over 20 appearances.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 10 November 2024^[1]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Dinamo Zagreb II	2021–22	Druga HNL	27	4	0	0	—		—		27	4
	Total		27	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	27	4
Dinamo Zagreb	2022–23	Prva HNL	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
	2023–24		2	0	1	0	2[a]	0	0	0	5	0
	Total		8	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	11	0
Gorica (loan)	2023–24	Prva HNL	15	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	16	2
Rijeka	2024–25		12	1	2	0	3[b]	0	0	0	17	1
Career total			62	7	4	0	5	0	0	0	71	7

Notes

1. 2 appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
2. 2 appearances in UEFA Europa League; 1 appearance in UEFA Conference League

Honours

Club

Dinamo Zagreb

• Prva HNL:2022–23
• Croatian Super Cup:2023

References

1. Gabriel Rukavina at Soccerway
2. "Gabriel Rukavina novi igrač HNK Rijeka". HNK Rijeka.
3. "Osijek II 1-1 Dinamo Zagreb II". int.soccerway.com.
4. "Croatia Zmijavci 2-2 Dinamo Zagreb II". int.soccerway.com.
5. "Rukavina scores 2 in 3-1 win". oddspedia.com.
6. "Varazdin 1-3 Dinamo Zagreb". int.soccerway.com.
7. "Dogovoreno je: Gabriel Rukavina na posudbi u Gorici" [It has been agreed: Gabriel Rukavina on loan in Gorica] (in Croatian). HNK Gorica. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
8. "Rukavina signs for Rijeka" (in Croatian). nk-rijeka.hr. 16 July 2024.

External links

• Gabriel Rukavina at the Croatian Football Federation