Luka Gavran
Luka Robert Gavran (born May 5, 2000) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as an goalkeeper for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Luka Robert Gavran | ||
| Date of birth | May 9, 2000 | ||
| Place of birth | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | ||
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Toronto FC | ||
| Number | 90 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Hamilton Croatia SC | |||
| Dinamo Zagreb | |||
| GPS Academy | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019–2021 | St. John's Red Storm | 48 | (0) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021 | Manhattan SC | 0 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | Toronto FC II | 36 | (0) |
| 2023 | → Toronto FC (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2023– | Toronto FC | 4 | (0) |
| 2023– | → Toronto FC II (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 7, 2023 | |||
Early life Edit
Born in Hamilton, Ontario,[1] Gavran started playing youth soccer at age six with Hamilton Croatia SC, initially playing as a striker, switching to goalkeeper when he was 13.[2][3] He also spent some time in the Dinamo Zagreb youth development system.[4] Afterwards, he joined GPS Academy.[5] With GPS he won a Vase Cup title in Northern Ireland in 2017 and was the Ontario Academy Soccer League Goalie of the Year.[6][7]
College career Edit
In 2018, he received a scholarship to St. John's University to play for the men's soccer team.[5] He redshirted his first year in 2018.[3] He made his debut on August 30, 2019 against the Appalachian State Mountaineers.[8] After splitting time in net during his first two seasons, he became the full-time starter during his junior year in 2021, leading the country in shutouts and save percentage.[9] In September 2021, he earned back-to-back Big East Goalkeeper of the Week honours.[10][11] In 2021, he was named Big East Goalkeeper of the Year,[12] a College Soccer News Second Team All-American,[13] and a United Soccer Coaches Third-team All-American.[14]
Club career Edit
In 2021, he was on the roster for Manhattan SC in USL League Two, but did not appear in any matches.[15]
In 2022, he was selected in the 2nd round (31st overall) in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC.[16][17] After attending pre-season with Toronto FC,[18] in March 2022, he signed a professional contract with the second team, Toronto FC II, in MLS Next Pro.[19] He made his debut on April 3 against FC Cincinnati 2.[20] He was named MLS Next Pro Goalkeeper of the Month for July 2022.[21][22] In August 2022, he was named as a competitor for the MLS All-Stars Skills Challenge ahead of the 2022 MLS All-Star Game.[23] On June 21, 2023, he signed a short-term loan with the Toronto FC first team.[24][25] He signed a second short term loan a few days later on June 24.[26][27]
In August 2023, he signed a contract with the Toronto FC first team for the remainder of the 2023 season, with club options for 2024 and 2025.[28][29] He later re-joined the second team on loan for some matches.[30] He made his Major League Soccer debut for the first team on September 24, 2023 in a loss against New York City FC, where he saved a penalty kick during the match.[31]
References Edit
- ^ Makarnaci, Mete (March 27, 2022). "TFC draft pick points to development as the key to Canadian soccer success - Goalkeeper Gavran a product of that system". Toronto Observer.
- ^ Moko, Larry (April 2, 2018). "Brebeuf's Luka Gavran receives NCAA soccer scholarship". Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board.
- ^ a b Davidson, Neil (January 9, 2022). "Red Storm have a bit of everything available in Tuesday's MLS SuperDraft". Toronto Star.
- ^ "Gavran Drafted by Toronto FC". Hamilton Croatia. January 11, 2022.
- ^ a b Moko, Larry (April 2, 2018). "Luka Gavran of St. Jean de Brebeuf nets soccer scholarship to NCAA school". Hamilton Mountain News.
- ^ "Luka Gavran St. John's profile". St. John's Red Storm.
- ^ Jacques, John (January 9, 2022). "Who Are The Canadians In The MLS SuperDraft?". Northern Tribune.
- ^ O'Connell, Andrew (August 30, 2019). "St. John's Blanks Appalachian State, 2-0, in Season Opener". St. John's Red Storm.
- ^ "A Real Super Draft: 3 St. John's players selected in MLS draft". Front Row Soccer. January 11, 2022.
- ^ "Goalkeeper of the Week: Big East honors St. John's Gavran". Front Row Soccer. September 20, 2021.
- ^ "Repeat Performance: St. John's Gavran named Big East goalkeeper of the week again". Front Row Soccer. September 27, 2021.
- ^ "Cool Hand Luka: St. John's Gavran named third team All-American". Front Row Soccer. November 8, 2021.
- ^ Taylor, Paul (January 12, 2022). "Toronto FC: 7 things to know about 2022 MLS SuperDraft picks". Tip of the Tower.
- ^ "Cool Hand Luka: St. John's Gavran named third team All-American". Front Row Soccer. December 9, 2021.
- ^ "Luka Gavran 2021 USL2 Stats". USL League Two.
- ^ "Toronto FC select Luka Gavran and Reshaun Walkes in 2022 MLS SuperDraft". Toronto FC. January 11, 2022.
- ^ Kvartuč, Ante (March 6, 2022). "Exclusive: 2022 MLS Draft 31st Overall Pick Luka Gavran Sits Down With CroatianSports". Croatian Sports.
- ^ "Toronto FC announce roster, schedule for Austin preseason camp". Toronto FC. February 7, 2022.
- ^ "Toronto FC II add two MLS SuperDraft picks to roster". Toronto FC. March 24, 2022.
- ^ Varcoe, Jacob (March 26, 2022). "'Keeper Gavran poised to make impact for Toronto FC II". Toronto Observer.
- ^ Schneider, Jacob (August 4, 2022). "MLS NEXT Pro Monthly Awards: July". MLS Next Pro.
- ^ "Former Johnnie Luka Gavran Signs with Toronto FC". St. John's Red Storm. June 21, 2023.
- ^ "TFC II goalkeeper Luka Gavran attending 2022 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge". MLS Next Pro. August 5, 2022.
- ^ "Toronto FC sign goalkeeper Luka Gavran to short-term agreement". Toronto FC. June 21, 2023.
- ^ Molinaro, John (June 23, 2023). "MLS rules explained: How was Toronto FC able to call up Luka Gavran from TFC 2?". TFC Republic.
- ^ "Toronto FC sign goalkeeper Luka Gavran to short-term agreement". Toronto FC. June 24, 2023.
- ^ "Toronto FC signs G Gavran to short-term agreement". TSN. June 24, 2023.
- ^ "Toronto FC sign goalkeeper Luka Gavran". Toronto FC. August 20, 2023.
- ^ "Toronto FC sign TFC II goalkeeper Luka Gavran on Extreme Hardship deal after Sean Johnson's injury". Waking the Red. August 20, 2023.
- ^ "Toronto FC loan four players to Toronto FC II". Toronto FC. September 8, 2023.
- ^ "'We don't see the good things we do because of the poor things we do more often': Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran". Waking the Red. September 25, 2023.
External links Edit
- Luka Gavran at Soccerway