Leonard Zuta (Macedonian: Леонард Жута; born 9 August 1992) is a Macedonian professional footballer who plays as a left back for HNK Šibenik.

Leonard Zuta
Personal information
Full name Leonard Zuta
Date of birth (1992-08-09) 9 August 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth Gothenburg, Sweden
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Left back
Team information
Current team
HNK Šibenik
Number 44
Youth career
2005–2009 Västra Frölunda
2010–2012 Häcken
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2015 Häcken 57 (0)
2015–2018 Rijeka 109 (2)
2019–2020 Konyaspor 12 (0)
2020 Häcken 16 (1)
2020–2021 Lecce 23 (0)
2021–2023 Vålerenga 53 (3)
2023–2024 IF Brommapojkarna 10 (0)
2024– HNK Šibenik 4 (1)
International career
2012–2013 Macedonia U21 3 (0)
2015–2018 Macedonia 15 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 November 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 04 October 2021

Club career

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Zuta spent the first four seasons of his professional career with BK Häcken in Allsvenskan. He made his official début on 13 April 2012, when he came in as a substitute in a home win against Mjällby AIF.[1] Until late August 2015, Zuta made 57 appearances with Häcken, often featuring in the starting line-up.

On 31 August 2015, Zuta signed a three-year contract with Rijeka in Croatia's 1. HNL.[2] He made his official début for the club on 19 September 2015, in a goalless home draw against Inter Zaprešić, when he entered as a substitute in the 87th minute.[3] Zuta soon became a first team player during his stint at the club and won Croatian league and cup in 2016–17 season. Zuta also became popular figure to the supporters of Rijeka and was praised on various memes on social media.[4]

On 8 January 2019 Zuta signed for Turkish Süper Lig club Konyaspor.[5]

In September 2020, Zuta signed a two-year contract with Italian Serie B club Lecce, with an option for another year.[6]

On 30 July 2021, Zuta signed a three-year contract with Norwegian Eliteserien club Vålerenga. He was brought in to replace Sam Adekugbe, who had left for Hatayspor.[7]

On 30 August 2023, Zuta signed with IF Brommapojkarna, on a contract until the end of 2025.[8]

International career

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On 15 June 2015. Zhuta made his début with the Macedonian national team in an away loss to Slovakia. He has earned a total of 15 caps, scoring no goals[9] and his final international was a November 2016 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Spain.[10]

Club statistics

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Season Club League League Cup Continental Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
2012 Häcken Allsvenskan 1 0 2 0 3 0
2013 16 0 5 0 1 0 22 0
2014 19 0 6 0 25 0
2015 21 0 1 0 22 0
Häcken total 57 0 14 0 1 0 72 0
2015–16 Rijeka 1. HNL 26 0 4 0 30 0
2016–17 35 0 6 0 2 0 43 0
2017–18 35 2 4 0 10 0 49 2
2018–19 13 0 2 0 2 0 17 0
Rijeka total 109 2 16 0 14 0 139 2
Career total 166 2 30 0 15 0 211 2
Last Update: 8 December 2018.

International statistics

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As of 12 November 2016
National team Year Apps Goals
Macedonia 2015 7 0
2016 8 0
Total 15 0

Honours

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HNK Rijeka

References

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  1. ^ "Leonard Zuta". Svenskfotboll. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  2. ^ "Leonard Zuta novi igrač HNK Rijeka". nk-rijeka.hr. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  3. ^ "Rijeka-Inter Zaprešić 0:0". prvahnl.hr. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  4. ^ "Razgovarali smo s Badbeatom. Evo što kaže o sukobu Armade i Miškovića, Žuti, Sharbiniju i - Kantridi". Novi list. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  5. ^ "LEONARD ŽUTA: Brzo smo se dogovorili, sretan sam što odlazim u Tursku". Novi list. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  6. ^ "Officiellt: Leonard Zuta klar för Lecce". Fotbolltransfers.com (in Swedish). 13 September 2020.
  7. ^ "Leonard Zuta klar for Vålerenga". Vålerenga (in Norwegian). 30 July 2021.
  8. ^ "Välkommen till BP, Leonard Zuta". bpfotboll.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  9. ^ Mamrud, Roberto (16 July 2009). "Macedonia - Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  10. ^ "Player Database". eu-football.info. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
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