Stipe Biuk joins LAFC - Third biggest sale in Hajduk Split's history

Los Angeles FC have secured one of the biggest talents in Croatian football. On Friday, the Major League Soccer club announced the signing of left-winger Stipe Biuk from Hajduk Split. The 20-year-old Croatian youth international is signed as part of the U22 Initiative and has signed a four-year contract until 2026 with an option for 2027.

 

Split will receive €6.5 million initially, an additional €1.5m through performance-based add-ons, and 20% of any future transfer. Only two more players have been more expensive in Hajduk's history. Biuk is also the second most expensive signing in LAFC's history.  

"Stipe is an incredibly talented player with considerable experience for his age who is recognized as one of the top young players in Europe," LAFC general manager John Thorrington said in a club statement. "It is exciting to welcome a player of his quality, pedigree, and potential to LAFC, and we are confident he will excite our fans and contribute to our team's success in the years to come."

Biuk to LAFC - MLS club acquires Golden Boy nominee

Biuk is considered one of the brightest talents in Croatian football. The left-winger made his first team debut for Hajduk Split in the 2020/21 season and has since scored six goals and eight assists in 66 games for Hajduk across all competitions. As an emerging talent in Croatia, Biuk's first-ever market value, which he received in June 2021, was €4m and has since seen his value grow to €5m. That makes Biuk the second most valuable Hajduk player and ranks him among the top ten in Croatia's first division.

The rise in market value underlines Biuk's talent and the significance of LAFC getting this deal done. But there is more. Biuk was also nominated for the Golden Boy Award, which awards Europe's top young player of the year. The Croatian was cut before the final 40 nominees were announced.

LAFC fans, however, will have to be patient. Using Goalimpact, which measures the extent that a player contributes to the goal difference of a team (read more here), Biuk highlights that with a peak impact of 133, he is already measuring up to a good player in a top 4 European league. The graph also highlights that the Croatian is on an upwards trend and, at his current development, could turn out to become a top talent with financial upside for LAFC despite his steep fee.