At the start of the season, Dušan Vuković made the move from Sutjeska to Lokomotiva in Zagreb. The young Montenegrin national team player faced injury shortly after starting the Meridianbet 1. CFL during a match against Dečić Admiralbet in Nikšić, raising concerns about his adjustment to a new setting once he recovered and how long Lokomotiva would be patient with him.

Fortunately, everything turned out positively. Vuković healed from his injury, started to make his mark, and netted goals in recent matches. He scored against Rijeka in a 4:1 defeat and contributed a goal and an assist in a 3:2 victory against Hajduk, helping to hinder the Split team’s title chase. Earlier in the season, he had already scored against Šibenik.

– I am very happy. This is my first experience playing outside Montenegro, at a higher competitive level. I’ve always aimed for this, and now I find myself competing with much more seasoned players. Everything is intensifying for me, and I’m determined to keep pushing forward – Vuković shared with “Vijesti”.

He expressed contentment with his experiences in Croatia’s capital.

– The club’s facilities are outstanding. I mostly play alongside my peers, along with younger and more experienced players. They’ve welcomed me warmly. Coming in from Sutjeska while injured, I doubted the transfer would work out. However, they had faith in me. I’m pleased with the training environment; the quality is significantly higher compared to Montenegro – remarked the 22-year-old athlete.

He recounted his initial experiences at Lokomotiva.

– At first, everything felt unfamiliar when I got my chance; I was seeing things from a different perspective. I’m now playing against established names like Ivan Rakitic, Marko Livaja, and Bruno Petkovic. It’s surreal to think about where I was just months ago, having only watched these players on TV. As we enter the second half of the season, I am keen on showcasing my abilities and helping the team achieve the best table position. My focus remains on how to outplay my opponents. When on the field, I tend to forget who’s on the opposite side—my sole aim is to score and to win.

Croatian football showcases high quality.

– Major clubs like Dinamo, Hajduk, Rijeka, and Osijek play with an open attacking style. I find it easier to play against such teams because of my speed; it benefits me during transitions, as evident in my performances in the last two matches. Competing against stronger opponents tends to reveal my potential. Conversely, lower-ranked teams usually defend more compactly, focused on survival and securing points, which often leads to less attractive football – Vuković explained.

His transfer to Lokomotiva was aided by discussions with Vladan Bubanja, a fellow player from Sutjeska and a former Zagreb player, who now plays in Sarajevo.

– He was my first point of contact upon my arrival. We’re good friends; we had enjoyed time together at Sutjeska. He guided me on training methods, conduct, and everything else that was helpful – Vuković stated.

The title race in Croatia is quite compelling. Rijeka leads with 39 points, followed closely by Hajduk with 37, and Dinamo at 32. In comparison, Lokomotiva holds the seventh spot with 22 points.

– These are all highly capable teams with talented players. It’s challenging to compete against them. Each team has its strengths, making any match competitive, as seen in the results. The point differences are minor, and plenty of matches remain; I believe it will come down to small details – Vuković opined.

Vuković’s contract with Lokomotiva extends for three seasons.

– I arrived as an injured player on loan until winter. My contract stated that if I played three matches before winter, I would become a permanent Lokomotiva player. I reached that milestone in the first part of the season and thus signed a three-year contract. Currently, my focus is entirely on Lokomotiva, aiming for the best results as we progress towards the end of the championship – Vuković concluded.

News