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Former Yugoslavia International and Hajduk Split Legend Ivan Gudelj Dies at 66

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Named sources Outcome reported
  • Ivan Gudelj, a former Yugoslavia defensive midfielder and Hajduk Split legend, died at 66, the club said.
  • He made 362 youth and senior appearances for Hajduk Split, scoring 93 goals, and captained Yugoslavia at age 22.
  • Hepatitis B ended his playing career in 1986 as he was preparing to move to Bordeaux; he later coached Hajduk and Croatia’s youth teams.

Ivan Gudelj, the former Yugoslavia defensive midfielder and Hajduk Split legend, has died at 66, the Croatian club said Wednesday.

Gudelj joined Hajduk as a boy and developed into one of the most prominent players of his generation. He remained with the club throughout his playing career, making 362 youth and senior appearances between 1976 and 1986 and scoring 93 goals.

He played 33 matches for Yugoslavia, scored three goals and became the national team’s captain at 22. Gudelj stood out at the 1982 World Cup and also represented Yugoslavia at the 1984 European Championships.

His career ended abruptly in 1986 after he contracted hepatitis B, just as he was preparing to move to Bordeaux. He later worked as a coach, briefly leading Hajduk Split and managing Croatia’s under-17 and under-19 teams.

“The entire Hajduk family was saddened today by the news that Ivan Gudelj has passed away,” the club said in a statement, remembering a player who had become a lasting figure in its history.

The entire Hajduk family was saddened today by the news that Ivan Gudelj has passed away

— Hajduk SplitThe club announced Gudelj’s death and mourned its longtime player.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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