Ante Erceg (born 12 December 1989) is a Croatian professional
footballer
A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby lea ...
RNK Split
Radnički nogometni klub Split ("Workers' Football Club of Split") commonly known as RNK Split, is a Croatian professional football club based in the city of Split.
History
The club had a strong fanbase in the Split's shipyard. The club was fo ...
, graduating to the senior squad in 2008. In his first senior season, he immediately played a notable role. Erceg quickly became a fan favourite, to such a degree that the fan group, the '' Crveni đavoli'' (Red Devils) awarded him the then newly established award for the most combative player, the '' Splitski dišpet''. Also, as a kind of fan recognition to Erceg for his commitment and fighting spirit, an interview with him was featured in the second issue of the Red Devils fan newspaper. He mainly played as a
midfielder
In the sport of association football, a midfielder takes an Glossary of association football terms#O, outfield position primarily in the middle of the pitch. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in t ...
while at RNK Split. In the second half of the 2009–10 season, Erceg was briefly sent on loan to Junak Sinj, where he made seven appearances. At the beginning of the 2010–11 season, he returned to
Stadion Park Mladeži
Stadion Park Mladeži ( English: ''Park of Youth Stadium'') is a football stadium in Split, Croatia. It is the second largest football stadium in Split (after Poljud) and is home to the RNK Split football club.
The stadium was built in the 19 ...
to continue playing for RNK Split.
Hajduk Split
He spent half a season at Turkish club
Balıkesirspor
Balıkesirspor is a Turkish sports club, club based in Balıkesir. Established in 1966, the Association football, football team played in the Süper Lig after achieving promotion having finished as runners-up of the TFF First League in 2013–14 T ...
, before returning to Croatia to sign for HNK Split's
rivals
A rivalry is the state of two people or Social group, groups engaging in a lasting competitive relationship. Rivalry is the "against each other" spirit between two competing sides. The relationship itself may also be called "a rivalry", and each ...
,
Hajduk Split
Hrvatski Nogometni klub Hajduk Split, commonly referred to as Hajduk Split (), is a Croatian professional football club based in Split, that competes in the Croatian First League, the top tier in Croatian football. Since 1979, the club's home ...
on 18 June 2016. Erceg made his Hajduk debut on 17 July, playing 45 minutes in a 2–0 win over
HNK Cibalia
Hrvatski nogometni klub Cibalia, commonly known as Cibalia Vinkovci or simply Cibalia, is a Croatian football club from the town of Vinkovci in eastern Croatia. Cibalia currently play in the Prva NL, Croatia's second-tier league. Their stadium ...
in the first day of the
Prva HNL
The Hrvatska nogometna liga (; ), abbreviated as HNL and also known for sponsorship reasons as the SuperSport HNL, is a professional association football league in Croatia and the highest level of the Croatian football league system. Establish ...
. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over
FC Oleksandriya
Football Club Oleksandriya (), commonly known as Oleksandriya, is a Ukrainian professional football club based in the city of Oleksandriya, Kirovohrad Oblast. Founded in 1990, the club plays in the Ukrainian Premier League. The year 1948 on the ...
in the third qualifying round of the 2016–17 Europa League. The goal was Hajduk's 300th goal in European competition.
Shabab Al-Ahli
On 8 January 2018, Erceg signed with Dubai club Shabab Al-Ahli, competing in the
UAE Pro-League
The UAE Pro League (), also known as the ADNOC Pro League for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the highest level of the Emirati football league system.
The first team to w ...
.
Brøndby
After a half-year spell Shabab Al-Ahli, Erceg signed a four-year contract with
Danish Superliga
The Danish Superliga (, ) is a professional association football league in Denmark and the highest level of the Danish football league system. The league is currently contested by 12 teams each year, with 2 teams relegated. It is the current ...
club
Brøndby IF
Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening (, usually abbreviated to Brøndby IF (), is a Danish professional Football club (association football), football club based in Brøndbyvester. Brøndby IF denotes the professional football section of Brøndbyernes ...
on 6 June 2018, where he was seen to be the replacement of
Teemu Pukki
Teemu Eino Antero Pukki (born 29 March 1990) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Veikkausliiga club HJK and the Finland national team.
Pukki began his career with KTP and made his debut on senior level on 23 June ...
who had signed with
Norwich City
Norwich City Football Club is a professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk, England. The club competes in the Championship, the second tier of English football. The club was founded in 1902. Since 1935, Norwich have played their h ...
. On 16 July 2018, he scored his first goal for Brøndby in a 2–0 win over
Randers
Randers () is a city in Randers Municipality, Central Denmark Region on the Jutland peninsula. It is List of cities and towns in Denmark, Denmark's sixth-largest city, with a population of 64,511 ().
Esbjerg fB (loan)
On 22 January 2020, Erceg was loaned out to
Esbjerg fB
Esbjerg forenede Boldklubber (; commonly known as Esbjerg fB or EfB in short) is a Danish professional Association football, football club based in Esbjerg, West Jutland, Jylland, that plays in the Danish 1st Division, 1st division, the sec ...
for the rest of the season. Following his loan, he stated that he was happy with the move and that Esbjerg was "a big club". He made his debut on 14 February, starting in a 1–0 win over F.C. Copenhagen. After making seven appearances and scoring no goals, he returned to Brøndby, as Esbjerg suffered relegation from the Superliga.
Osijek (loan)
Erceg joined
Croatian First Football League
The Hrvatska nogometna liga (; ), abbreviated as HNL and also known for sponsorship reasons as the SuperSport HNL, is a professional association football league in Croatia and the highest level of the Croatian football league system. Establishe ...
club
NK Osijek
Nogometni klub Osijek (), commonly referred to as NK Osijek (), is a Croatian professional association football, football sports club, club from Osijek. Founded in 1947, it was the club from Slavonia with the most seasons in the Yugoslav First Le ...
on 19 August 2020, on a season-long loan with an option to buy. The following April, the Croatian club announced they will not be buying Erceg, but that they are looking into options of retaining his services for the future. In May 2021, Erceg ruptured his right knee ligaments during training, requiring knee reconstruction surgery. On 20 May, it was announced that his loan deal with Osijek had been extended by another season.
Debrecen
On 25 May 2022, Erceg signed a one-year contract with Hungarian
Nemzeti Bajnokság I
The Nemzeti Bajnokság (, ), also known as NB I or Fizz Liga after its title sponsor, OTP Bank's webshop subsidiary, is a professional association football league in Hungary and the highest level of the Hungarian football league system.
Twelve ...
club
Debreceni VSC
Debreceni Vasutas Sport Club is a Hungarian professional football club based in Debrecen that competes in the Nemzeti Bajnokság I, the first tier of Hungarian football. They are best known internationally for reaching the group stages of the U ...
, with an option for one further year. His contract was terminated by mutual consent after two months at the club, on 21 July. He had not made his debut for the club at that point.
Istra 1961
Erceg joined
Croatian Football League
The Hrvatska nogometna liga (; ), abbreviated as HNL and also known for sponsorship reasons as the SuperSport HNL, is a professional association football league in Croatia and the highest level of the Croatian football league system. Establish ...
club Istra 1961 on 1 August 2022, signing a one-year deal. He made his debut for the club on 6 August against his former club Osijek, replacing Advan Kadušić in the 66th minute in a late 1–0 win. On 26 August, Erceg scored his first goals for Istra, a brace, after coming on as a 66th-minute substitute for Monsef Bakrar to secure a late 2–0 away victory against Gorica at Stadion Radnik. He would also score in three consecutive games in September 2022, against Lokomotiva,
Slaven Slaven may refer to:
* Slaven (given name)
* Slaven (surname)
Slaven is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
* Bernie Slaven (born 1960), Scottish-born Irish football player
* Mick Slaven (born 1961), Scottish musician
See also
* ...
and his former side
Hajduk
A hajduk (, plural of ) is a type of Irregular military, irregular infantry found in Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and parts of Southeast Europe from the late 16th to mid 19th centuries, especially from Hajdú–Bihar Count ...
to bring his league goal tally to five in six appearances. He finished his first season at the club with 12 goals in 22 appearances.
Fortuna Sittard
On 28 May 2024, Erceg signed a two-year contract with
Fortuna Sittard
Fortuna Sittard (; ) is a professional football club from the municipality of Sittard-Geleen, Netherlands. The club currently plays its football in the 12,500 capacity Fortuna Sittard Stadion and features in the Eredivisie. The club was establi ...
in the Netherlands.
HNK Gorica
On 2 January 2025, Erceg joined Croatian club
HNK Gorica
Hrvatski nogometni klub Gorica (), commonly referred to as HNK Gorica, is a Croatian football club based in the town of Velika Gorica, located just south of the Croatian capital Zagreb. They play their home matches at the Gradski stadion Velik ...