Sunderland man Nazariy Rusyn left to join Hajduk Split on loan during the January transfer window. But it’s not exactly been plain sailing for the Ukrainian since.
Nazariy Rusyn sealed a long-awaited exit from the Stadium of Light during the January transfer window, joining Gennaro Gattuso’s Hajduk Split in the Croatian top flight.
And it started well for the Sunderland man. Rusyn grabbed an assist on his debut shortly after coming off the bench, but he’s not really made an impact since then.
The 26-year-old Rusyn has since earned his first start but was hooked at half-time. He then made a 20 minute cameo in the next game, taking his tally to three games and one assist for Split who currently sit in 2nd place of the HNL table.
Rusyn joined Sunderland from Ukrainian outfit Zorya in the summer of 2023. Sunderland paid £2.5million Rusyn who has so far made 29 Championship appearances for the Black Cats, scoring just twice.
This season before he left for Split, Rusyn featured eight times in the Championship without scoring for Regis Le Bris’ side.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesCroatian pundit questions quality of Hajduk Split’s January signings
The winter window only shut in Croatia on February 17th. In the end, Gattuso brought three new players to Split, including Rusyn, but Croatian pundit and former player and manager Iko Buljan has not been impressed by the club’s winter transfer business.
He tells Croatian outlet direktno of Split’s recent transfer window: “I don’t know, I’m not convinced by all of that. In Hajduk, the players are paid very well, and they don’t return the favour anywhere near.”
Then in a somewhat indirect hit at Rusyn, Buljan added: “Players who have quality would play in stronger leagues, and wouldn’t come to Hajduk.”
Before Rusyn left for Split, it was revealed that he had rejected a loan move to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.
How much Hajduk Split could sign Sunderland man Nazariy Rusyn for
Rusyn remains under contract at the Stadium of Light until 2027, with the Black Cats holding an option to extend his stay by a further year should they wish. Although that idea certainly seems unlikely as things stand.
Kristjaan Speakman might even push for a permanent sale of the attacker in the summer. He might be hoping that Split decide to sign the player, with the Croatian side holding a £2.1million option to buy Rusyn, which would see Sunderland recoup much of what they initially paid.
It would be great if Sunderland could do so as Rusyn is yet to show any signs that he can cut it in the Championship. He still has half-a-season to impress in Croatia though, so anything could happen in the build up to summer.