Rade Krunić (; born 7 October 1993) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serbian SuperLiga club Red Star Belgrade.
Krunić started his professional career at Sutjeska Foča, before joining Donji Srem in 2013. In 2014, he moved to Hellas Verona, who loaned him back to Donji Srem later that year. In 2015, he switched to Borac Čačak. Later that year, he signed with Empoli. Five years later, Krunić was transferred to Milan, who sent him on loan to Fenerbahçe in 2024, with whom he signed permanently later that year. He moved to Red Star Belgrade in 2024.
A former youth international for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Krunić made his senior international debut in 2016, earning over 30 caps since.
Club career
Early career Krunić came through the youth setup of his hometown club Sutjeska Foča, which he joined in 2006. He made his professional debut in 2011 at the age of 17. On 6 November, he scored his first professional goal against Modriča, which secured the victory for his team.
In January 2013, he signed with Serbian side Donji Srem.
In the summer of 2014, Krunić moved to Italian outfit Hellas Verona, who loaned him back to Donji Srem.
In January 2015, he switched to Borac Čačak.
Empoli In July, Krunić joined Empoli on a three-year contract. He made his official debut for the squad against Sassuolo on 4 October. On 24 October, he scored his first goal for Empoli in a triumph over Genoa.
In October 2017, he extended his deal with the team until June 2021.
Krunić was an important piece in Empoli's conquest of the Serie B title, his first trophy with the club, which was sealed on 28 April 2018 and earned them promotion to the Serie A just one season after being relegated. He had an impact of 5 goals and 10 assists.
On 1 December, he played his 100th game for the side against SPAL and managed to score a goal.
Milan In July 2019, Krunić was transferred to Milan for an undisclosed fee, speculated to be in the region of €8 million.
2019–20 season He made his competitive debut for the team on 29 September in a loss to Fiorentina. On 3 November, he started his first match for Milan against Lazio.
In February 2020, he suffered a foot injury, which was diagnosed as a broken foot and was ruled out for at least a month. Over four months after the injury, on 4 July, he returned to the pitch.
2020–21 season Krunić debuted in the season on 21 September against Bologna. On 22 October, he scored his first goal for Milan in a UEFA Europa League tie against Celtic. Four months later, he scored his first league goal against his former squad Hellas Verona.
2021–22 season Krunić played his first fixture of the campaign in a defeat of Sampdoria on 23 August 2021.
On 19 October, he debuted in the UEFA Champions League away at Porto.
He won his first title with the club on 22 May 2022, when they were crowned league champions after 11 years.
2022–23 season Krunić appeared in his first encounter of the season against Udinese on 13 August.
In September, he extended his contract with Milan until June 2025.
He made his 100th appearance for the side against Dinamo Zagreb on 25 October.
On 2 November, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a win over Red Bull Salzburg.
2023–24 season Krunić made his season debut on 21 August against Bologna.
He appeared in his 100th clash for Milan in the Serie A against Lecce on 11 November.
Fenerbahçe In January 2024, Krunić was sent on a six-month loan to Turkish outfit Fenerbahçe. He debuted officially for the club in a Turkish Cup contest against Adanaspor on 17 January. A week later, he made his league debut against Samsunspor.
In July, Fenerbahçe signed him on a three-year deal.
Red Star Belgrade In September, Krunić joined Red Star Belgrade on a contract until June 2027. He debuted competitively for the team on 14 September against Napredak Kruševac. On 27 November, he scored his first goal for Red Star Belgrade in a UEFA Champions League clash against VfB Stuttgart. Three weeks later, he scored a brace in a beating of Čukarički, which were his first league goals for the side. He won his first piece of silverware with the club on 6 April 2025, when they were proclaimed league champions.
International career Krunić was a member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina under-21 team under coach Vlado Jagodić.
In November 2015, he received his first senior call up, for the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying play-offs against Republic of Ireland, but had to wait until 3 June 2016 to make his debut in a 2016 Kirin Cup game against Denmark.
On 23 March 2019, in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against Armenia, Krunić scored his first senior international goal.
Personal life Krunić married his long-time girlfriend Ivana in May 2022. Together they have two children, a son named Andrej and a daughter named Neva.
Career statistics
Club
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSutjeska Foča2011–12First League of the RS92––922012–13First League of the RS6120–81Total15320–173Donji Srem2012–13Serbian SuperLiga132––1322013–14Serbian SuperLiga27230–302Donji Srem (loan)2014–15Serbian SuperLiga11110–121Total51540–555Borac Čačak2014–15Serbian SuperLiga132––132Empoli2015–16Serie A15110–1612016–17Serie A32210–3322017–18Serie B36500–3652018–19Serie A33510–345Total1161330–11913Milan2019–20Serie A15030–1802020–21Serie A251101213822021–22Serie A28030403502022–23Serie A230001113412023–24Serie A1000040140Total1011703121393Fenerbahçe (loan)2023–24Süper Lig1203030180Fenerbahçe2024–25Süper Lig10003040Total1303060220Red Star Belgrade2024–25Serbian SuperLiga23330813442025–26Serbian SuperLiga262301324242026–27Serbian SuperLiga21005071Total51660263839Career total3603025063544835
International +Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBosnia and Herzegovina201610201720201850201951202051202150202240202352202420Total344
Scores and results list Bosnia and Herzegovina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Krunić goal. +List of international goals scored by Rade KrunićNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition123 March 2019Grbavica, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina91–02–1UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying28 October 2020Grbavica, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina141–01–1UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying play-offs323 March 2023Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina281–03–0UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying42–0
Honours Empoli Serie B: 2017–18
Milan Serie A: 2021–22
Red Star Belgrade Serbian SuperLiga: 2024–25, 2025–26 Serbian Cup: 2024–25, 2025–26
References
External links