Feyenoord has initiated formal discussions with Luka Ivanušec regarding the early termination of his contract, according to recent reports from Rotterdam. The 27-year-old Croatian attacking midfielder remains tied to De Kuip until mid-2028, but he no longer features in the club’s sporting plans under the current technical staff.
Contract Talks Underway in Rotterdam
The Eredivisie club is actively exploring a premature exit for the player, though a definitive agreement has not yet been finalized. If both parties reach a mutual understanding, the former Dinamo Zagreb player will be cleared to leave the club on a free transfer.
Ivanušec returned to Rotterdam this summer following a temporary loan spell with Greek side PAOK Thessaloniki. While PAOK held an option to purchase the midfielder outright at the conclusion of the loan, the Greek club ultimately chose not to trigger it. Upon his return to the Netherlands, the technical staff afforded him an opportunity to prove himself during the pre-season preparations. However, as the competitive campaign got underway, he failed to break into the senior matchday plans under manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Million-Euro Investment Fails to Ignite
Feyenoord originally brought Ivanušec to the Eredivisie in the summer of 2023, paying a reported transfer fee in excess of seven million euros to secure his signature from Croatian powerhouse Dinamo Zagreb. Expectations were high for the international playmaker, but the anticipated breakthrough on the pitch never fully materialized.
Over two seasons with the Rotterdam outfit, Ivanušec made 55 official appearances across all competitions. During those matches, he contributed four goals and provided seven assists. Despite flashes of technical quality, injuries, fluctuating form, and stiff competition in the squad prevented him from nailing down a regular starting role.
Next Steps for Player and Club
Van Bronckhorst and the club management have acknowledged that a departure serves the best interests of all involved, clearing roster space and wage bill capacity in Rotterdam while allowing the player to seek regular first-team minutes elsewhere.
