Nazariy Rusyn’s time at Hajduk Split has come to an underwhelming end, with the Croatian club deciding against making his move permanent.
That’s bad news for Sunderland; the Croatian club had a €2m buyout clause (£1.67m) but will now see the striker return to Wearside without financial recompense. The 26-year-old striker joined Hajduk on loan from Sunderland in January but failed to score in 17 appearances, managing just one assist.
Hajduk expected more
According to Sportske Novosti, Hajduk had expected far more from Rusyn and deemed the €2m clause in his loan agreement “too much” based on his performances. The Croatian side, managed by Gennaro Gattuso, have now confirmed they will not exercise the purchase option.
Rusyn arrived at Sunderland in 2023 from Zorya Luhansk, but struggled to make an impact under Régis Le Bris. He played just 66 minutes across eight Championship appearances before being loaned out during the winter transfer window.
Now, with Sunderland promoted to the Premier League, Rusyn appears even further from the club’s long-term plans. Despite being under contract until 2027, his prospects of breaking into the first-team setup are slim.
“The two million euro buyout is too much considering what the Ukrainian has shown,” reported Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti, summing up Hajduk’s decision to pass on a permanent deal.
Rusyn’s departure was one of several expected at Hajduk, with fellow loanees Stipe Biuk and Jan Mlakar also set to leave Poljud following disappointing spells. All three were brought in to help bolster the attack but failed to meet expectations.
Rusyn is now likely to be made available for transfer again this summer, as Sunderland seek to trim their squad ahead of their Premier League campaign. Given his failure in Croatia, a stint in the Premier League seems unlikely, and his future remains uncertain.
Writer’s View
Nazariy Rusyn’s trajectory has taken another downturn, and it’s difficult to see a clear path for him at Sunderland. Despite his long-term deal, his output both domestically and abroad has failed to justify a place in a Premier League squad.
While he may yet find a role in a lower-tier European league, this summer feels pivotal. For Sunderland, moving Rusyn on permanently could help create space and funds for more impactful additions. For Rusyn, it’s another chance to reset—and this time, he’ll need to make it count.
