Rakitic leaves Al-Shabab and joins Hajduk Split

Ivan Rakitic, a former midfielder for Croatia, is joining Hajduk Split after his contract with Saudi Pro League team Al-Shabab was mutually canceled after six months.

After joining Al-Shabab in January 2024, the 36-year-old scored once in eight games as they finished seventh with 52 points.

The Saudi team announced on the social media site X that “the club management agreed with the Croatian player Ivan Rakitic to terminate the contractual relationship between the two parties by mutual consent.”

In what will be his debut season in Croatia, Hajduk Split announced on Sunday that the former midfielder for Barcelona and Sevilla has signed a one-year contract with an option to extend it.

Swiss-born Rakitic made 106 appearances for Croatia, scoring 15 goals, and leading his team to the 2018 World Cup final.