Dante Stipica: I’m not thinking about a transfer. The pursuit is ambitious and so am I [WYWIAD]

Dante Stipica: Hajduk is my club. I was born and raised in Split. I have a native home there, from which I went into the world. Once upon a time, journalists wrote about my breakup with Hajduk, but the article contained a lot of not entirely true information. I left the club under normal circumstances. They wanted to renew my contract, but I needed a change of scenery to try and reach my goals. Then, in Split, I did not have such an opportunity. The contract expired, we broke up.

Dante Stipica: Pogon-Szczecin trusted me. I can end my career here [WYWIAD]

How about becoming the best goalkeeper in Ekstraklasa?

- I received this award two years ago. I was very proud that I was able to represent Pogon and the entire West Pomeranian Voivodeship, having received a statuette at the Ekstraklasa gala concert in Warsaw. Moreover, I became the first goalkeeper in the club’s history to receive such an award. This is the biggest achievement in my career. Many people helped me in this: coach Kosta Runjajic, president Jaroslav Mroczek, sports director Dariusz Adamczuk, goalkeeping coach Andrzej Krzysztalkowicz and all teammates.

Vladan Kovacevic from Rakov was awarded for the previous season. Deservedly?

- Of course. He is a really good goalkeeper, many times saved Rakov from losing. I sincerely congratulate him on his victory. For me, this is the motivation to work even harder in the coming season. I will fight to be the best in the league again.

You came to Poland as an unknown reserve goalkeeper for CSKA Sofia. Did you expect that things would get better in Szczecin and that you would be here for so long?

- It was a very difficult moment in my career in Bulgaria. I went there because I was told that I would be the first goalkeeper. I had the opportunity to play regularly. The reality was completely different. But I parted ways with CSKA on normal terms. I thanked everyone in the club and said that I want to go the other way. That’s how I got to Poland. From the very beginning, it was extremely important for me that director Adamchuk and coach Runjajic talked to me a lot. I saw that they showed great confidence in me. I really needed it. I think I was able to thank them for everything that was on the field.

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You will play on trust for a long time, last year you extended your contract until the end of June 2026.

- In the beginning I signed a contract for two years. After six months, the people at the club decided they wanted to renew it. I was very happy because it showed how happy they are with me. In October I signed another contract. I am glad that my qualities are appreciated in the club and that I am an important player for the team. I would like to stay in Pogony for the rest of my career. Let’s see what the future holds for us. So far, I’m focused on each subsequent day, practice and match. I want to achieve better results with the club.

Can you imagine playing for any Polish club other than Pogonia?

- I don’t think about transfer. My head is in Szczecin. I don’t want this to sound like I’m smug. On the contrary, I am very ambitious, as is Chase. We have a team that wants to fight for the highest goals every season. I think we are going in the right direction.

I mean the rumors circulating at the time that you were to replace Artur Boruc in the Legion. Even if it were far from being realized, would it be nice to impersonate the successor of such a legend?

- It’s nice to hear that even my opponents respect me a lot. But my life is in Szczecin, in Pogoni. I don’t have to think about other Polish clubs.

He said Tomas Dembek

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