Tomislav Duka Signs for Orkan from Dugi Rat
The experienced 33-year-old goalkeeper, who played in Hajduk's infamous elimination by Gzira, continues his career in the First County League of Split-Dalmatia.
The experienced 33-year-old goalkeeper, who played in Hajduk's infamous elimination by Gzira, continues his career in the First County League of Split-Dalmatia.
Former Hajduk and Istra 1961 goalkeeper, 33-year-old Tomislav Duka, has completed one of the most unexpected transfers of this summer in Croatian football. He will continue his career with Orkan from Dugi Rat, a club competing in the First County League of Split-Dalmatia, which is the fifth tier of Croatian football.
The club from Dugi Rat makes no secret of its excitement over the arrival of a player with such a pedigree. They believe his vast experience will be invaluable, not only for the first team's ambitions but also for the development of young goalkeepers and teammates who will have the opportunity to learn from him.
Duka has had a respectable career. In the top tier of Croatian football, he played for Split, where he also wore the captain's armband, as well as for Hajduk and Istra 1961. For the Split "Whites," he made five appearances over two years, conceding seven goals.
His name is particularly associated with one of the most painful moments in Hajduk's modern history. In the 2019/20 season, he stood in goal during the Europa League qualifying tie against Maltese side Gzira. After a 2-0 away win, a shocking 3-1 home defeat followed, which meant elimination. Just three months after that tie, Duka agreed to a mutual termination of his contract with the club.
He also left a significant mark outside Croatia. He played for Velež Mostar and won the league title with Romania's CFR Cluj in 2018. He had a particularly successful spell with Lithuania's Žalgiris, where he lifted a total of five trophies. He won the double in 2021 and 2022, and also added the Supercup to his collection.
On the domestic scene, he also wore the jerseys of Kamen from Ivanbegovina, Zagora, and Imotski, and he joins Orkan after a season spent in Zadar.
