Dejan Ljubičić (born 8 October 1997) is an Austrian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Schalke 04 and the Austria national team.
Club career Ljubičić joined the youth academy of Rapid Wien in 2006 after starting at Favoritner AC. He progressed through the club's youth ranks and made his debut for Rapid's reserve team in 2015. In 2017, he signed his first professional contract with Rapid and spent time on loan at Wiener Neustadt, where he made his professional debut. A proposed move to MLS club Chicago Fire collapsed during the 2019–20 winter transfer window after he was diagnosed with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He later established himself in Rapid's first team, making 103 league appearances, scoring six goals, and captaining the club during the 2020–21 season.
In 2021, Ljubičić moved to Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln. His club suffered relegation in 2024, but helped the club secure immediate promotion back to the top flight in 2024–25 before departing upon the expiry of his contract. He then joined Dinamo Zagreb in June 2025, before transferring to FC Schalke 04 in January 2026, signing a contract until 2028.
International career Ljubičić was born in Austria to Bosnian Croat parents from Busovača. He debuted for the Austria national team in a 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification win over the Faroe Islands on 9 October 2021.
On 10 June 2026, he was added to Austria's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a replacement for the injured Christoph Baumgartner.
Personal life In August 2021, Ljubičić was sentenced for throwing bottles at a mosque in Kiseljak three years earlier. He had to pay a fine of 1,000 BAM or serve ten days in prison.
His younger brother Robert plays for AEK Athens.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsRapid Wien II2015–16Austrian Regionalliga East200——2002016–17Austrian Regionalliga East253——253Total453——453Rapid Wien2017–18Austrian Bundesliga28340—3232018–19Austrian Bundesliga291401214522019–20Austrian Bundesliga22210—2322020–21Austrian Bundesliga2402051311Total10361101721318Wiener Neustadt (loan)2017–182. Liga7000—701. FC Köln2021–22Bundesliga30320—3232022–23Bundesliga27511523382023–24Bundesliga26010—2702024–252. Bundesliga27431—305Total11012725212216Dinamo Zagreb2025–26Croatian Football League1500072222Schalke 042025–262. Bundesliga154——1542026–27Bundesliga1011—21Total16411—175Career total2962519329634434
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsAustria202121202220202350Total91
Scores and results list Austria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ljubičić goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Dejan Ljubičić No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 15 November 2021 Wörthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt, Austria 4–1 4–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
Honours 1. FC Köln 2. Bundesliga: 2024–25
Dinamo Zagreb Croatian Premier League: 2025–26
Schalke 04 2. Bundesliga: 2025–26
References
External links
Profile at the Schalke 04 website Profile at Austrian Football Association