Ante Erceg

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Ante Erceg

| image = Ante Erceg (2018).png

| caption = Erceg in 2018

| fullname =

| height = 1.80 m

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1989|12|12}}

| birth_place = Split, SR Croatia, Yugoslavia

| position = Forward, Winger

| currentclub = Gorica

| clubnumber = 50

| youthyears1 = 2001–2008

| youthclubs1 = RNK Split

| years1 = 2008–2016

| clubs1 = RNK Split

| caps1 = 100

| goals1 = 18

| years2 = 2010

| clubs2 = → Junak Sinj (loan)

| caps2 = 7

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2016

| clubs3 = Balıkesirspor

| caps3 = 14

| goals3 = 2

| years4 = 2016–2018

| clubs4 = Hajduk Split

| caps4 = 44

| goals4 = 20

| years5 = 2018

| clubs5 = Shabab Al-Ahli

| caps5 = 10

| goals5 = 2

| years6 = 2018–2022

| clubs6 = Brøndby

| caps6 = 24

| goals6 = 4

| years7 = 2020

| clubs7 = → Esbjerg (loan)

| caps7 = 7

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2020–2022

| clubs8 = → Osijek (loan)

| caps8 = 30

| goals8 = 4

| years9 = 2022

| clubs9 = Debrecen

| caps9 = 0

| goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2022–2024

| clubs10 = Istra 1961

| caps10 = 42

| goals10 = 18

| years11 = 2024

| clubs11 = Fortuna Sittard

| caps11 = 14

| goals11 = 0

| years12 = 2025–

| clubs12 = Gorica

| caps12 = 3

| goals12 = 1

| club-update = 24 February 2025

}}

Ante Erceg (born 12 December 1989) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Croatian club Gorica.

Career

=RNK Split=

Erceg went through the youth system at RNK Split, 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. Navijački list Crveni đavoli no. 1; article "Splitski dišpet Anti Ercegu", page 1. 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. Navijački list Crveni đavoli no. 2; article "Erca - Splitski dišpet", page 4. He mainly played as a midfielder 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 to continue playing for RNK Split.

=Hajduk Split=

He spent half a season at Turkish club Balıkesirspor,{{cite web |title=İlhan Eker ve Ante Erceg Balıkesirspor'da |url=http://www.fotospor.com/haber-ilhan-eker-ve-ante-erceg-balikesirsporda-206818 |website=fotospor.com |accessdate=11 March 2020 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091633/http://www.fotospor.com/haber-ilhan-eker-ve-ante-erceg-balikesirsporda-206818 |url-status=dead}} before returning to Croatia to sign for HNK Split's rivals, Hajduk Split on 18 June 2016.{{cite web |title=Ante Erceg potpisao za Hajduk! |url=https://hajduk.hr/vijest/ante-erceg-potpisao-za-hajduk/7364 |website=hajduk.hr |publisher=HNK Hajduk Split |date=18 June 2016 |accessdate=11 March 2020}} Erceg made his Hajduk debut on 17 July, playing 45 minutes in a 2–0 win over HNK Cibalia in the first day of the Prva HNL.{{cite web |title=Cibalia vs. Hajduk Split - 17 July 2016 - Soccerway |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/07/17/croatia/1-hnl/hnk-cibalia-vinkovci/hnk-hajduk-split/2245753/ |website=int.soccerway.com |publisher=Perform Group |accessdate=11 March 2020}} He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over FC Oleksandriya in the third qualifying round of the 2016–17 Europa League.{{cite web |title=Form and head-to-head stats FC Oleksandria vs Hajduk Split |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/fc-oleksandria-vs-hajduk-split/365569 |website=skysports.com |publisher=Sky Sports |accessdate=11 March 2020}} The goal was Hajduk's 300th goal in European competition.{{cite web |title=IGRAČI SLOŽNI: IDEMO POTVRDITI PROLAZ PRED PREPUNIM POLJUDOM |url=https://hajduk.hr/vijest/igraci-slozni--idemo-potvrditi-prolaz-pred-prepunim-poljudom/7546 |website=hajduk.hr |publisher=HNK Hajduk Split |date=29 July 2016 |accessdate=11 March 2020}}

=Shabab Al-Ahli=

On 8 January 2018, Erceg signed with Dubai club Shabab Al-Ahli, competing in the UAE Pro-League.{{cite web |last1=Blond |first1=Mikael |title=Hajduk sender topscorer til Emiraterne |url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/hajduk-sender-topscorer-til-emiraterne/ |website=bold.dk |date=8 January 2018 |accessdate=11 March 2020}}

=Brøndby=

After a half-year spell Shabab Al-Ahli, Erceg signed a four-year contract with Danish Superliga club Brøndby IF on 6 June 2018, where he was seen to be the replacement of Teemu Pukki who had signed with Norwich City.{{cite press release |url=https://brondby.com/nyhed/2018/06/06/broendby-if-skriver-kontrakt-med-kroatiske-ante-erceg |title=Brøndby IF signs deal with Croatian Ante Erceg |publisher=Brøndby IF |accessdate=6 June 2018 |archive-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622033211/https://brondby.com/nyhed/2018/06/06/broendby-if-skriver-kontrakt-med-kroatiske-ante-erceg |url-status=dead}} On 16 July 2018, he scored his first goal for Brøndby in a 2–0 win over Randers.{{cite web |url=https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/superliga/erceg-og-wilczek-lynede-da-broendby-slog-randers |title=Erceg and Wilczek blitzed, as Brøndby beat Randers |website=Tipsbladet |accessdate=1 August 2018}} He would, however, struggle to make the starting lineup and scored only four goals in 23 appearances in the Superliga for Brøndby.

==Esbjerg fB (loan)==

On 22 January 2020, Erceg was loaned out to Esbjerg fB for the rest of the season.[https://www.efb.dk/efb-lejer-ante-erceg-i-broendby/ EfB lejer Ante Erceg i Brøndby], efb.dk, 22 January 2020 Following his loan, he stated that he was happy with the move and that Esbjerg was "a big club".[https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/glad-erceg-esbjerg-er-en-stor-klub/ Glad Erceg: Esbjerg er en stor klub], bold.dk, 23 January 2020 He made his debut on 14 February, starting in a 1–0 win over F.C. Copenhagen.[https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/superliga/startopstillinger-efb-og-fck-sparker-superliga-foraaret-i-gang Startopstillinger: EfB og FCK sparker Superliga-foråret i gang], tipsbladet.dk, 15 February 2020 After making seven appearances and scoring no goals, he returned to Brøndby, as Esbjerg suffered relegation from the Superliga.{{cite web |title=A. Erceg - Profile |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/ante-erceg/137741/ |website=int.soccerway.com |publisher=Perform Group |accessdate=28 July 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Elgaard |first1=Peter |title=Esbjerg rykker ud af Superligaen |url=https://www.tvsyd.dk/esbjerg/esbjerg-rykker-ud-af-superligaen |website=www.tvsyd.dk |publisher=TV Syd |accessdate=28 July 2020 |date=28 June 2020}}

==Osijek (loan)==

Erceg joined Croatian First Football League club NK Osijek on 19 August 2020, on a season-long loan with an option to buy.{{cite web |title=Ante Erceg udlejes til NK Osijek |url=https://brondby.com/nyhed/2020/08/19/ante-erceg-udlejes-til-nj-osijek?fbclid=IwAR2mxnETDu1lOZ79OQwINzw9tDh_3MRlH6shbWSS4YXDUkyovjB__FrGn30 |website=brondby.com |publisher=Brøndby IF |accessdate=19 August 2020 |date=19 August 2020}}{{cite web |title=Ante Erceg prvo osječko pojačanje |url=https://nk-osijek.hr/vijesti/27809/ante-erceg-prvo-osjecko-pojacanje/ |website=nk-osijek.hr |publisher=NK Osijek |accessdate=19 August 2020 |date=19 August 2020}} 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.[https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/nogomet/hnl/najskuplji-lega-u-povijesti-osijek-ce-dati-rekordnih-20-milijuna-kuna-za-napadaca-s-njim-nema-rizika-15067797 Najskuplji 'lega' u povijesti! Osijek će dati rekordnih 20 milijuna kuna za napadača: S njim nema rizika] at Jutarnji List In May 2021, Erceg ruptured his right knee ligaments during training, requiring knee reconstruction surgery.[https://www.24sata.hr/sport/nesreca-za-ercega-na-treningu-je-tesko-ozlijedio-desno-koljeno-760302 Nesreća za Ercega: Na treningu je teško ozlijedio desno koljeno] at 24 Sata On 20 May, it was announced that his loan deal with Osijek had been extended by another season.{{cite news |last1=Gronemann |first1=Steffen |title=Udskældt angriber: Har spillet sin sidste kamp for Brøndby |url=https://www.bt.dk/superligaen/udskaeldt-angriber-har-spillet-sin-sidste-kamp-for-broendby |date=20 May 2021 |language=da}}

=Debrecen=

On 25 May 2022, Erceg signed a one-year contract with Hungarian Nemzeti Bajnokság I club Debreceni VSC, with an option for one further year.{{cite web |title=Csatárt igazolt a DVSC |url=https://dvsc.hu/csatart-igazolt-a-dvsc/ |website=DVSC Futball Zrt. |access-date=4 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811074736/https://dvsc.hu/csatart-igazolt-a-dvsc/ |archive-date=11 August 2022 |language=hu |date=25 May 2022 |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Risager |first1=Victor |title=Ante Erceg ophæver efter 75 dage i ny klub |url=https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/generelle/ante-erceg-ophaever-efter-75-dage-i-ny-klub |access-date=4 December 2022 |work=Tipsbladet |date=21 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721044139/https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/generelle/ante-erceg-ophaever-efter-75-dage-i-ny-klub |archive-date=21 July 2022 |language=da}}

=Istra 1961=

Erceg joined Croatian Football League club Istra 1961 on 1 August 2022, signing a one-year deal.{{cite web |title=DOBRO DOŠAO ANTE ERCEG |url=https://nkistra.com/dobro-dosao-ante-erceg/ |website=NK Istra 1961 |access-date=4 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814130905/https://nkistra.com/dobro-dosao-ante-erceg/ |archive-date=14 August 2022 |language=hr-HR |date=1 August 2022 |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news |title=Bakrar al 93' fa esplodere il Drosina: Istra-Osijek 1-0 |url=https://lavoce.hr/sport/bakrar-al-93-fa-esplodere-il-drosina-istra-osijek-1-0 |access-date=4 December 2022 |work=LaVoce del popolo |date=6 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204164646/https://lavoce.hr/sport/bakrar-al-93-fa-esplodere-il-drosina-istra-osijek-1-0 |archive-date=4 December 2022 |language=it-IT}} 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.{{cite news |title=GORICA – ISTRA 0:2 Fantastični Erceg zabio dva gola. Golman spašavao Istru |url=https://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/gorica-istra-02-fantasticni-erceg-zabio-dva-gola-golman-spasavao-istru/2389723.aspx |access-date=4 December 2022 |work=IndexHR |date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829181559/https://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/gorica-istra-02-fantasticni-erceg-zabio-dva-gola-golman-spasavao-istru/2389723.aspx |archive-date=29 August 2022 |language=hr}} He would also score in three consecutive games in September 2022, against Lokomotiva,{{cite news |last1=Blažević |first1=Katarina |title=Lokomotiva skočila na peto mjesto ljestvice nakon pobjede u Puli, Ante Erceg samo ublažio poraz Istre |url=https://www.novilist.hr/sport/lokomotiva-skocila-na-peto-mjesto-ljestvice-nakon-pobjede-u-puli-ante-erceg-samo-ublazio-poraz-istre/ |access-date=4 December 2022 |work=Novi list |date=4 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204165823/https://www.novilist.hr/sport/lokomotiva-skocila-na-peto-mjesto-ljestvice-nakon-pobjede-u-puli-ante-erceg-samo-ublazio-poraz-istre/ |archive-date=4 December 2022 |language=hr}} Slaven{{cite news |title=Istra uvjerljivo slavila na teškom gostovanju u Koprivnici, ponovno zabio Ante Erceg |url=https://gol.dnevnik.hr/clanak/rubrika/nogomet/istra-1961-pobijedila-slaven-belupo-3-0-u-9-kolu-hnl-a---741749.html |access-date=4 December 2022 |work=Gol.hr |date=11 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107164525/https://gol.dnevnik.hr/clanak/rubrika/nogomet/istra-1961-pobijedila-slaven-belupo-3-0-u-9-kolu-hnl-a---741749.html |archive-date=7 November 2022 |language=hr}} and his former side Hajduk{{cite news |last1=Kovačević |first1=Davor |title=Bio je 'hajdučko srce', gol nije slavio, a Torcida ga izviždala: 'Mislio sam da više neću hodati' |url=https://www.24sata.hr/sport/bio-je-hajducko-srce-gol-nije-slavio-a-torcida-ga-izvizdala-mislio-sam-da-vise-necu-hodati-861004 |access-date=4 December 2022 |work=24sata |date=18 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930234011/https://www.24sata.hr/sport/bio-je-hajducko-srce-gol-nije-slavio-a-torcida-ga-izvizdala-mislio-sam-da-vise-necu-hodati-861004 |archive-date=30 September 2022 |language=hr}} to bring his league goal tally to five in six appearances.{{cite web |title=Ante Erceg » 1. HNL 2022/2023 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/ante-erceg/cro-1-hnl-2022-2023/nk-istra-1961/3/ |website=WorldFootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=4 December 2022}} 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 in the Netherlands.{{cite web|publisher=Fortuna Sittard|url=https://fortunasittard.nl/en/news/fortuna-haalt-transfervrije-ante-erceg-naar-sittard|title=FORTUNA CONTRACTS ANTE ERCEG ON A FREE TRANSFER|date=28 May 2024|access-date=15 July 2024}}

=HNK Gorica=

On 2 January 2025, Erceg joined Croatian club HNK Gorica, on a contract until the summer of 2027.{{cite web|url=https://www.hnk-gorica.hr/vijesti/ante-erceg-novi-igrac-gorice/2702|title=Ante Erceg novi igrač Gorice!|trans-title=Ante Erceg is the new player for Gorica!|publisher=HNK Gorica|date=2 January 2025|access-date=8 January 2025}}