Steven Lustica
{{Short description|Australian soccer player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Steven Lustica
| image = Steven Lustica-20171008.jpg
| image_size = 200
| caption = Steven Lustica playing for Western Sydney Wanderers in 2017
| fullname = Steven Lustica
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|4|12|df=y}}
| birth_place = Canberra, Australia
| height = {{height|m=1.75}}
| position = Central midfielder
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2003–2005
| youthclubs1 = Canberra FC
| youthyears2 = 2005–2008
| youthclubs2 = ACTAS
| youthyears3 = 2008–2009
| youthclubs3 = Sydney FC
| youthyears4 = 2009–2011
| youthclubs4 = Gold Coast United
| years1 = 2009–2011
| clubs1 = Gold Coast United
| caps1 = 4
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2011–2013
| clubs2 = Hajduk Split
| caps2 = 34
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2012
| clubs3 = → Dugopolje (loan)
| caps3 = 10
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2013
| clubs4 = → Brisbane Roar (loan)
| caps4 = 12
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2013–2014
| clubs5 = Adelaide United
| caps5 = 15
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2014–2016
| clubs6 = Brisbane Roar
| caps6 = 62
| goals6 = 6
| years7 = 2016–2018
| clubs7 = Western Sydney Wanderers
| caps7 = 25
| goals7 = 3
| years8 = 2018–2019
| clubs8 = Inter Zaprešić
| caps8 = 14
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2019–2020
| clubs9 = Qizilqum Zarafshon
| caps9 = 13
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2020–2024
| clubs10 = Western United
| caps10 = 84
| goals10 = 7
| nationalyears1 = 2009–2011
| nationalteam1 = Australia U-20
| nationalcaps1 = 21
| nationalgoals1 = 3
| pcupdate = 10 May 2024
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|AUS}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's Association football}}
{{Medal|Competition|AFC U-20 Asian Cup}}
{{Medal|RU|2010 China|}}
}}
Steven Lustica ({{langx|hr|Luštica}}; born 12 April 1991) is an Australian soccer player who plays as a central midfielder.
Club career
=Gold Coast=
On 24 April 2009, it was confirmed that Lustica had been signed by Gold Coast United,[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/04/23/1240079798343.html Gold Coast gains from 'Australian' Kiwi] after impressing United's assistant coach, Paul Okon, during his tenure as under-18s coach at the Australian Olympic Youth Festival.[http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/06/25/91941_gold-coast-sport.html Two Steves tame Fury]
On 19 September 2009, he made his senior debut for Gold Coast, coming off the bench in the 88th minute against Central Coast Mariners.[http://www.goldcoastunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=29413 Mariners lift to stun United] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308100346/http://www.goldcoastunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=29413 |date=8 March 2011 }}
=Hajduk Split=
On 8 June 2011, it was announced that Lustica signed a four-year contract with Croatian giant Hajduk Split.{{cite news|url=http://www.hrsport.net/vijesti/418976/nogomet-1-hnl/milicevic-i-lustica-potpisali-za-hajduk |title=Miličević i Luštica potpisali za Hajduk |last1=Strahija |first1=Ivana |last2=Dubravac |first2=Ante |date=8 June 2011 |work=Sportnet.hr |language=Croatian |accessdate=8 June 2011}} He made his debut against F.C. Barcelona on 23 July 2011. He made his Prva HNL debut on 13 August 2011 against NK Istra in a 3–0 away win with Lustica getting an assist. On 5 June 2011, Lustica scored his first goal for HNK Hajduk Split in a man of the match performance against NK Varazdin also getting an assist in the game.
=Dugopolje (loan)=
On 25 January 2012 it was announced that Lustica would join Croatian 2. HNL side NK Dugopolje for the second half of the 2011–12 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.dalmacijanews.com/Hajduk/View/tabid/88/ID/78235/Lustica-odlazi-na-posudbu-u-Dugopolje-Runje-odbio-Hajduka.aspx |title=Luštica odlazi na posudbu u Dugopolje, Runje odbio Hajduka > Dalmacija News |website=www.dalmacijanews.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128154659/http://www.dalmacijanews.com/Hajduk/View/tabid/88/ID/78235/Lustica-odlazi-na-posudbu-u-Dugopolje-Runje-odbio-Hajduka.aspx |archive-date=2012-01-28}} Lustica made 10 appearances for Dugopolje, scoring one goal and assisting the club in achieving promotion to Prva HNL as they beat NK Pomorac Kostrena to the 2. HNL Championship by one point.{{cite web |url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1108013/aussies-abroad---may-2012 |title=Aussies Abroad - May 2012 : The World Game on SBS |website=theworldgame.sbs.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220031926/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1108013/aussies-abroad---may-2012 |archive-date=2014-02-20}} Lustica returned to Hajduk Split at the conclusion of Dugopolje's season.{{Cite web |url=http://www.coerver.com.au/wp/act/2012/09/05/great-news-from-former-coerver-kid-steven-lustica-who-is-currently-playing-in-crotia-for-club-side-hajduk-split/ |title=Great news from Former Coerver Kid Steven Lustica, who is currently playing in Croatia for club side Hajduk Split | Coerver ACT |access-date=3 February 2014 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220131824/http://www.coerver.com.au/wp/act/2012/09/05/great-news-from-former-coerver-kid-steven-lustica-who-is-currently-playing-in-crotia-for-club-side-hajduk-split/ |url-status=dead }}
=Brisbane Roar (loan)=
On 26 January 2013, Brisbane Roar in the Australian A-League signed Lustica on a loan deal which would see him stay at the club until the end of the 2012–13 A-League season.[http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/brisbaneroar/news-display/Lustica%20lands%20for%20Brisbane/59205 Lustica lands for Brisbane] FootballAustralia.com Prior to his signing, Brisbane were having a disappointing season, losing 10 of their opening 17 games of the season and picking up just 17 points. Reunited with former coach Mike Mulvey, Lustica would help turn around Brisbane's season. The club lost only two league games in the remaining 10 games of the regular season, qualifying for the post-season Finals, a feat which looked unlikely after the first two-thirds of the season. Despite the Roar being interested in retaining Lustica, Hajduk Split refused to release him and he returned to Hajduk in June 2013.[http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/brisbaneroar/news-display/Ferreira%20and%20Petratos%20join%20Roar/69643 Ferreira and Petratos join Roar] FootballAustralia.com Luštica scored two goals in his 12 appearances on loan with Brisbane.
=Adelaide United=
In September 2013, Hajduk Split changed their mind about releasing him and Lustica was granted a release from his contract which allowed him to return to the A-League with Adelaide United where he agreed a one-year contract for the 2013–14 season.{{cite web | url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/steven-lustica-is-adelaide-uniteds-latest-signing-returning-to-the-a-league-from-hajduk-split/story-e6frf4gl-1226715876026 | title=Motorsport Video |Motorsport Highlights, Replays, News, Clips }}{{cite news | title = Reds snare Lustica for Season 9 | date = 2014-01-06 | publisher = Football Federation Australia | url = http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/adelaideunited/news-display/Reds-snare-Lustica-for-Season-9/74570 | work = Adelaide United FC | accessdate = 2013-09-10}} Lustica impressed in his appearances for United, earning himself a place in the Team of the Week in Round 13.{{cite news | title = Team of the Week: Round 13 | date = 2013-09-10 | publisher = Football Federation Australia | url = http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/team-of-the-week-%7c-round-13/82444 | work = Damien Bellemore | accessdate = 2014-02-03 | archive-date = 25 March 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140325230203/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/team-of-the-week- | url-status = dead }}
==Departure from Adelaide United==
Lustica's time at Adelaide was to be short-lived however, when on 29 January 2014 he requested an early termination to his contract in order to make himself available to former club Brisbane Roar. As Lustica entered the final six months of his contract, he was in negotiations with Adelaide over a one-year extension. According to Adelaide, an agreement was reached in principle but not formalised. Around the same time, Brisbane approached him and an enquiry was made as to whether Adelaide would consider releasing him to join the club immediately, which Adelaide refused.{{cite news| url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-29/adelaide-united-refuses-to-release-lustica/5225066| title = Adelaide United refuses to release Steven Lustica to Brisbane Roar - ABC News| website = Australian Broadcasting Corporation| date = 29 January 2014}} Following this, Adelaide head coach Josep Gombau reported that Lustica had failed to attend training and declared that Lustica was no longer welcome at the club. Lustica was subsequently released from contract with Adelaide United on 2 February 2014.{{cite news | title = Adelaide United agree to release Steven Lustica | date = 2014-02-02 | publisher = Sportal | url = http://www.sportal.com.au/football/a-league/adelaide-united-agree-to-release-steven-lustica/1ahwztt4kkeh91p0qjee6se380 | work = Sacha Pisani | accessdate = 2014-02-03}}
=Return to Brisbane Roar=
On 4 February 2014, it was announced that Lustica had re-signed with former club, Brisbane Roar until the end of the 2015–16 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Steven-Lustica-returns-to-Roar/85107|title=Steven Lustica returns to Roar|date=4 February 2014|publisher=Football Federation Australia|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325230530/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Steven-Lustica-returns-to-Roar/85107|archive-date=25 March 2014}} Lustica scored his first return goal for Brisbane Roar against the Newcastle Jets in a Round 6 clash which ended in a 4–0 victory for Roar, courtesy of an Henrique hattrick. He scored another goal in the 5–4 battering of Roar against Sydney FC. He rounded off his fairly prolific goalscoring season with a hattrick in a 6–1 win against the Central Coast Mariners at Suncorp Stadium, also providing an assist for Brandon Borrello. The first season of his second spell at the club, Lustica made 25 appearances, scoring five goals and notching two assists.
Lustica opened his goal tally for the 2015–16 season netting a composed finish against the Wellington Phoenix, a 2–1 win to the Roar, as they braved hot conditions in Cairns. Brisbane Roar tabled Lustica a new contract offer in December 2015.
=Western Sydney Wanderers=
On 23 May 2016, Lustica signed with the Western Sydney Wanderers on a 2-year contract.{{cite web|title=Midfielder signs for Western Sydney Wanderers|url=http://www.a-league.com.au/article/midfielder-signs-for-western-sydney-wanderers/19tpscfbvul9e1nq56ee1s30s6|website=A-League|publisher=Football Federation Australia|accessdate=23 May 2016}} The versatile midfielder will forever be etched in Wanderers history for his goal against English Premier League giants Arsenal in July 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.a-league.com.au/news/wanderers-confirm-player-departures|title=Caltex Socceroos star departs Wanderers|website=Hyundai A-League|access-date=2019-03-20}} On 30 June 2018, after making 35 appearances in all competitions, Lustica departed from Western Sydney Wanderers to pursue offers in Europe.
=Inter Zaprešić=
In July 2018, shortly after leaving Western Sydney Wanderers, Lustica joined Croatian club Inter Zaprešić.{{cite news|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/lustica-seals-croatian-switch-496683|title=Lustica seals Croatian switch|first=Ben|last=Somerford|newspaper=FourFourTwo|date=3 July 2018}} Romanian top-tier team F.C Botosani offered Lustica a contract that he declined.
Personal life
Lustica is of Croat heritage. He is related to former Hajduk Split player Slavko Luštica, who was his grandfather Božidar's cousin.{{cite web |last1=Maršić |first1=Ozren |title=Zbog rođaka Slavka počeo sam navijati za Hajduk, čast mi je što sam tu |url=https://www.vecernji.hr/sport/zbog-rodjaka-slavka-poceo-sam-navijati-za-hajduk-cast-mi-je-sto-sam-tu-269516 |website=Večernji list |access-date=17 July 2024 |language=hr |date=25 March 2011}}
Career statistics
{{updated|21 April 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3" valign="center"|Gold Coast United
|2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2010–11
|A-League |2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 2 | 0 | |||
| colspan=2|Total
!4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| rowspan=4|Hajduk Split
|Croatian First Football League |18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2012–13
|Croatian First Football League |7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2013–14
|Croatian First Football League |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!22 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
| Dugopolje (loan)
|Croatian Second Football League |10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 10 | 1 | ||
| Brisbane Roar (loan)
|A-League |12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 2 | |
| Adelaide United
|A-League |15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 15 | 1 | ||
| rowspan=4|Brisbane Roar
|A-League |10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 10 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15
|A-League |22 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 5 | |
| 2015–16
|A-League |22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 22 | 1 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!54 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 57 | 6 | |
| rowspan=3|Western Sydney Wanderers
|A-League |7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 2 | |
| 2017–18
|A-League |16 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 18 | 1 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!23 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 30 | 3 | |
| Inter Zaprešić
|Croatian First Football League |14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 9 | 0 | ||
| Qizilqum Zarafshon
|2019 |13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 14 | 1 | ||
| rowspan=6|Western United
|A-League |10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 10 | 1 | ||
| 2020–21
|A-League |20 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 20 | 1 | |||
| 2021–22
|A-League Men |26 | 5 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 28 | 5 | ||
| 2022–23
|A-League Men |13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 15 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24
|A-League Men |15 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 15 | 0 | |||
| colspan=2|Total
!84 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 88 | 7 | |
| colspan=3|Career total
!225 | 20 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 248 | 22 |
Honours
=Player=
Sydney FC Youth
- National Youth League Championship: 2008–09
- National Youth League Premiership: 2008–09
Gold Coast Youth
- National Youth League Championship: 2009–10, 2010–11
- National Youth League Premiership: 2010–11
Dugopolje
Brisbane Roar
Western United
- A-League Men Championship: 2021–22{{cite news|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7757843/western-uniteds-act-duo-savour-unbelievable-a-league-victory/|title=Western United's ACT duo Steven Lustica and Nikolai Topor-Stanley savour 'unbelievable' A-League victory|website=The Canberra Times|first=Melanie|last=Dinjaski|date=29 May 2022|access-date=30 May 2022}}
Australia U-20
=Individual=
- National Youth League Player of the Season: 2010–11
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{soccerway|steven-lustica/96439}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lustica, Steven}}
Category:Australian men's soccer players
Category:Australian people of Croatian descent
Category:Gold Coast United FC players
Category:HNK Hajduk Split players
Category:NK Inter Zaprešić players
Category:Croatian Football League players
Category:First Football League (Croatia) players
Category:Uzbekistan Super League players
Category:Brisbane Roar FC players
Category:Adelaide United FC players
Category:Western Sydney Wanderers FC players
Category:Western United FC players
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Australian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Croatia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Uzbekistan
Category:Sportspeople from Canberra
Category:Soccer players from the Australian Capital Territory
Category:Australia men's under-20 international soccer players
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Croatia