Former Croatia goalkeeper Tonči Gabrić passes away
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Tonči Gabrić, the renowned former goalkeeper for Croatia and Hajduk Split, has passed away today unexpectedly at the age of 62.
“The Croatian Football Federation expresses its deepest condolences to the family of Tonči Gabrić for this irreplaceable loss,” HNS said in a statement.
Gabrić had a long and distinguished career, beginning his journey in the former Yugoslavia, where he played for clubs such as Čelik Zenica and HNK Rijeka.
He moved to Greece, where he played two seasons with PAOK (1991–1993) before returning to Croatia to join Pazinka in 1993. In 1994, he signed with Hajduk Split, where he would remain until his retirement in 1999, cementing his legacy as one of Croatia’s notable goalkeepers.
He played 102 games for the famous Split club.
Gabrić made his debut for the Croatian national team in October 1990 during a friendly match against the United States, coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute for Dražen Ladić.
U 63. godini iznenada je preminuo Tonči Gabrić, legendarni vratar Hajduka i Vatrenih, koji je čuvao hrvatsku mrežu i u povijesnoj, prvoj utakmici protiv SAD-a. Ukupno je za reprezentaciju upisao devet nastupa, uključujući i odlazak na EP 1996. godine u Engleskoj.
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) October 28, 2024
Hrvatski… pic.twitter.com/ymb2kBdBVp
Over the course of his career, he earned nine caps for Croatia, two of which are not officially recognised, serving as a reliable reserve goalkeeper for the national squad from 1990 to 1997.
Gabrić was also part of the Croatian team selected for the UEFA Euro 1996 tournament and played his final international match in September 1997 in a World Cup qualifier against Denmark.
