Veteran Croat playmaker Robert Prosinecki marked his debut in the Slovene league by scoring one goal and making another for Mladen Rudonja for his new club, Olimpija of Ljubljana.
Prosinecki’s work proved decisive in a 2-1 win over Velenje. Surprisingly, since he had trained only four times with his new team-mates ahead of the new season, Prosinecki lasted the entire 90 minutes.
The former Red Star, Real Madrid and Barcelona midfielder said later: “That was a great start, better than I could have expected.”
Prosinecki, who played in England last season with Portsmouth, confirmed that he has no intention of rescinding his international retirement.
After 15 appearances for the former Yugoslavia and 49 with Croatia, Prosinecki announced his departure from the national team following the first round World Cup exit.
By Keir Radnedge