Toni Borevković has returned to Vitoria Guimarães on loan for the 2026/27 season. The 29-year-old Croatian centre-back is back in a very familiar environment after spending last season with Turkish side Samsunspor. According to a report by Index.hr Sport, the move was agreed in the final hours of the transfer window.

He was brought in on a one-year loan with an option to buy by then-sporting director Mindaugas Nikoličius, who presented him as a strong, decisive, and competitive defender who fits Hajduk's playing style. However, after making 18 official appearances, including his debut against Dinamo in the Super Cup at Maksimir, Hajduk did not activate the purchase option and the player returned to Vitoria.

What was his career path before Hajduk Split?

Toni Borevković was born in 1997 in Slavonski Brod. He began his football journey at Marsonija before moving to Dinamo Zagreb's academy at age 15. He achieved senior breakthrough at Rudeš, where he made nearly 60 official appearances between 2015 and 2018. His first full top-flight season in 2017/18 saw him play 31 league matches. That form attracted Portuguese side Rio Ave, who signed him in 2018. There, he became a regular starter over three seasons, making 101 appearances and competing in European qualifiers.

In 2021, he moved to Vitoria Guimarães, where he made exactly 100 official appearances in his first spell before the loan to Split. After returning from Hajduk, he featured 43 times for Vitoria in all competitions during the 2024/25 season. He was a key figure in their Conference League run, playing all 12 matches as the club reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Betis.

What happened after his return from Split?

After not staying at Hajduk, Borevković signed for Turkish club Samsunspor in the summer of 2025. His contract was set to run until 2028. In his first season in Turkey, he played 26 league matches and scored one goal. At the start of the 2026/27 season, he began as a first-team player and had already made three appearances before his return to Portugal was sealed. This transfer marks his third club change in three years, following Hajduk and Samsunspor.

How is Hajduk Split placed in the league amid this news?

As Borevković prepares for a fresh start in Portugal, HNK Hajduk Split is competing at the top of the Croatian First League. Verified data as of September 6, 2026, shows the club in fourth place with 10 points from five matches. Their record stands at three wins, one draw, and one loss, with a recent form of WWWDL. The team has scored 11 goals and conceded five, giving them a +6 goal difference. They currently trail league leaders NK Varazdin by three points. Their next fixture is at home against ninth-placed NK Slaven Belupo on September 12, 2026. You can follow the full upcoming schedule on our fixtures page and check the current standings.

For Vitoria Guimarães, the return of the experienced Borevković represents a defensive reinforcement for the season ahead. His contract with Samsunspor remains valid until 2028.