Tottenham wideman Ivan Perisic has returned to his boyhood club Hajduk Split on loan for the rest of the season, almost 18 years after leaving the Croatian side as a 17-year-old.
Perisic joined Tottenham on a free transfer in 2022, reuniting with his former Inter boss Antonio Conte and appearing in 34 of Spurs’ 38 Premier League games in 2022-23.
The 34-year-old also appeared as a substitute in each of Spurs’ first five league games under Ange Postecoglou, but he has been out of action since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in training in September.
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With Perisic’s contract with Tottenham set to expire at the end of the campaign, Postecoglou said he had likely played his final game for the club earlier this month.
However, Perisic is reportedly hoping to return to the field by mid-April as he targets a place in Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia squad for Euro 2024.
Perisic is hoping to appear at his seventh major international tournament this year, having previously represented his country at three European Championships and three World Cups, netting in their 4-2 defeat to France in the 2018 World Cup final.
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— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 19, 2024
He will look to play his way into form and fitness with Hajduk, who are currently six points clear at the top of the Croatian top flight, chasing a first domestic title since 2005.
Born in Split, Perisic came through Hajduk’s academy but never made a competitive appearance before joining French club Sochaux for a €360,000 fee in 2006, going on to represent the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Inter and Bayern Munich.
In a statement released after the loan deal was confirmed, Hajduk said: “We believe that his persistence and will, which have adorned him throughout his career, will contribute to the fact that soon we will finally see Ivan in his favorite jersey in front of a crowded Poljud.
“Ivan, the time has come! We wish you much success and happiness in Hajduk’s jersey!”
— HNK Hajduk Split (@hajduk) January 19, 2024