HNK Rijeka has bolstered its defensive line by acquiring young Swiss defender Calixte Paul Ligue during the winter transfer window. The player arrives from Italian Serie A side Venezia on a loan deal with an option to buy, with reported figures valuing the transfer at 2.5 million euros. The club currently sits fifth in the HNL standings with 10 points from five matches, recording three wins, one draw, and one loss.
Who is Calixte Paul Ligue?
Calixte Paul Ligue was born on March 21, 2005, in Zurich and holds Swiss and Bjelokost nationality. He began his senior career at his hometown club Zürich, where he made 60 official appearances, scoring one goal and providing two assists. He also featured in UEFA Conference League qualifiers with the Swiss side. He scored his first senior goal shortly after making his debut at the age of 17. Interestingly, he played as a striker in his youth before converting to a defender.
Ligue moved to Venezia in January 2024, signing a contract until June 2028 with an option to extend until 2030. The Italian club immediately loaned him to Mantova in Serie B for the remainder of the 2023-24 season, where he made a single appearance. He has also represented the Switzerland U-21 national team, earning two caps, and has a total of 29 appearances across various Swiss youth teams.
Why did Rijeka sign Ligue?
The primary objective of this transfer is to increase competition for places at left-back and center-back. Currently, Rijeka has scored 9 goals and conceded 6 in five HNL matches this season, indicating a need for more defensive solidity. Ligue is a player capable of covering both positions, offering the manager additional tactical flexibility. His arrival should push the existing squad members to perform at a higher level.
"I am excited about coming to Rijeka." Ligue told Index.hr Sport. His father, Zeze, was also a footballer and has been a major support in his career. "My family is very passionate about football, my father always helps me a lot," the young defender added.
How will Ligue fit into the squad?
Ligue brings experience from Swiss and Italian football and claims his time in Italy improved his mental preparation and understanding of the game's demands. He emphasized that Rijeka's playing style, characterized by intensity and great heart, matches his own approach to the game. Rijeka is currently three points behind league leaders Hajduk Split in the title race, so any reinforcement is welcome.
If he impresses during the season, he is expected to be available for selection. His versatility across defensive positions could prove invaluable during a congested fixture schedule. You can review all the team's upcoming commitments on our fixtures page.
What is Rijeka's current league position?
Rijeka enters this transfer period as the fifth-placed team in the HNL. They have collected 10 points from their opening five matches, with a recent form sequence of win, draw, win, loss, win. Their goal difference stands at +3. Their next challenge comes on September 12, 2026, with an away match against seventh-placed NK Lokomotiva Zagreb. A detailed overview of all teams and their positions is available on the standings page.
Calixte Paul Ligue signed his contract with Venezia in January 2024, and that agreement is valid until June 30, 2028.
