HNK Hajduk Split has officially confirmed the transfer of Rokas Pukštas to English Championship side Middlesbrough. The American midfielder leaves the Croatian club after six years for a fee reported to be around 5 million euros, as first reported by Net.hr Sportski.
What mark did Pukštas leave at Hajduk?
Rokas Pukštas joined Hajduk in 2020 as a 16-year-old. He made his official debut for the Whites on April 29, 2022, and went on to make 142 appearances for the club. During his time in Split, he scored 27 goals and provided 12 assists. His crowning achievement was winning the Croatian Cup in the 2022/2023 season, playing the full 90 minutes in the final victory over Šibenik. The club bid him farewell with an emotional message on its official channels, stating: "Puki, od srca ti hvala".
What does this transfer mean for Hajduk?
The sale of the 22-year-old Pukštas represents a significant financial move for the Split-based club. The transfer funds could be used to strengthen a squad currently sitting 4th in the HNL table with 7 points from 4 matches. Their goal difference this season stands at +4, having scored 9 and conceded 5. Hajduk trails league leaders NK Osijek by five points, indicating room for improvement. The club has already secured qualification for the UEFA Conference League and can now focus on the domestic title race. The current league standings can be followed on our standings page.
What is the context of Hajduk's season?
The team enters the September phase of the competition with a recent form of WWDL from their last four games. Their next challenge is an away fixture against 8th-placed Rudes on September 6, 2026. This presents an opportunity to continue a positive run and close the gap at the top. The full schedule of upcoming matches is available on our fixtures page. Furthermore, Pukštas's departure raises the question of who will fill his role in midfield, and all details on the current squad can be found on the squad page.
How did Middlesbrough welcome their new player?
The English Championship club officially welcomed their new midfielder. On social media, they posted the message "Welcome, Rocky!", confirming the completion of the transfer. For Pukštas, this marks a major step in his career, moving to one of Europe's more demanding leagues. For Hajduk, however, the focus is now on continuing their season and utilizing all resources to achieve their goals in the HNL and European competitions.
