NPL Victoria: North Geelong teenager earns European shot

One of the NPL’s most exciting young forwards has earned a trial at a European club where he will follow in the footsteps of a Socceroos legend’s son. See the details.

North Geelong teenage striker Luke Zivcic this week departed Elcho Park, bound for Europe and a trial with Croatian club Hajduk Split.

The teenage sharpshooter is set to follow in the footsteps of another Warriors’ prodigy, Noa Skoko, who donned the Warriors’ famous red strip only as far back as a year ago.

Zivcic is in fact trialling alongside Skoko, who is at Hajduk’s under-19 team which last season went all the way to the final of the UEFA Youth Champions’ League.

According to Luke’s father, Paul Zivcic, the talented 18-year-old attacker was fortunate to have been coached by Noa’s father and Socceroos legend Josip Skoko at the Warriors as a junior.

“Josip had an incredible football career, both in Australia and abroad. He would always tell us he saw great potential in Luke as a player,” beamed the proud Zivcic Senior.

Having commenced his illustrious European career at Hajduk Split as a teenager himself, Skoko Senior contacted the Zivcics a few weeks back with the exciting news his former club was keen to invite Luke to Split for a trial with the club’s under-19s team.

“Luke was thrilled to have the opportunity to try out and he is now finding himself training twice a day,” revealed Paul.

Luke Zivcic has earned a European trial. Photo: Supplied.

“The first session is at 7.30am and then the second session is at 7.30pm. In between they go to the gym, physio and beach … what a life” exclaimed Zivcic Senior.

The teenage sharpshooter broke into the Warriors’ senior NPL Victoria team at the start of this year and has forged a regular starting XI position since, playing 18 games and scoring twice in the process.

Now he is set to forge his own path overseas and experience all the highs and lows of European football.

“It hasn't been easy because of the extreme heat in Europe and coming from Geelong’s cold winter has knocked him around a bit,” admitted Zivcic Senior.

“He is also competing against some very talented players from other countries including America, Canada, Ukraine and Croatia and that in itself he is finding challenging.”

Nonetheless, according to Zivcic’s coach at the Warriors Tomi Gavran, the youngster has all the attributes to succeed as a professional footballer in Europe.

“Young Luke has progressed well and has benefited greatly from training and playing with the senior players at Elcho Park this season,” Gavran said.

“It’s a big jump, from youth to senior football, but Luke proved he has the attributes to fulfil his potential.

“The kid is technically sound, he gets into good goal scoring positions and has a great attitude.

“This trial is a great opportunity for Luke to test himself against some of Croatia’s best youth talent so I wish him the very best,” added Gavran, who will have to make do without his first choice striker for the Warriors’ last two games of the NPL Victoria season.

Originally published as NPL Victoria: North Geelong teenager earns European shot