Full name Albert Rusnak Playing position 1997–2010 MFK Kosice Role Footballer Weight 65 kg Parents Albert Rusnak | Place of birth Vyskov, Czech Republic Number 10 Name Albert Rusnak Height 1.75 m Career start 2013 Siblings Alex Rusnak | |
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Date of birth (1994-07-07) 7 July 1994 (age 21) Current team FC Groningen (#10 / Midfielder) | ||
Albert Rusnak (born 7 July 1994) is a Slovak footballer who plays for Dutch Eredivisie club FC Groningen as an attacking midfielder.
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Manchester City
Rusnak played youth football in Slovakia for MFK Kosice from a very young age, before signing for Manchester City in July 2010, where he joined the club's academy side.
Loan to Oldham Athletic
After three years of youth and reserve-team football, he signed for Football League One side Oldham Athletic on loan. Rusnak made his first senior appearance as a 63rd-minute substitute for Jonson Clarke-Harris in a league game against Tranmere Rovers on 31 August 2013, in a match that they lost 0–1 at Boundary Park. His first start came three days later, in a 4–1 away Football League Trophy win over Shrewsbury Town. On 17 September, Rusnak's loan was cut short and he returned to City.
Loan to Birmingham City
On 21 January 2014, Rusnak joined Football League Championship (second-tier) club Birmingham City on a month's youth loan. He went straight into the starting eleven for the FA Cup fourth round defeat to Swansea City the following Saturday. On 18 February 2014, Rusnak extended his loan spell until the conclusion of the 2013–14 season.
Loan to SC Cambuur
On 25 July 2014, Rusnak moved to Dutch Eredivisie club SC Cambuur on loan until January. He became a key part of the team, scoring in a 3–0 win over local rivals FC Groningen and having his loan extended until the end of the season. Earlier in the season, in another local derby at sc Heerenveen, he gave the ball away from kick-off, resulting in a penalty being awarded after nine seconds, but Cambuur fought back for a 2–2 draw.
FC Groningen
With his Manchester City contract due to expire in the summer of 2015, Rusnak moved on a three-year contract to Groningen on 18 December 2014. On 3 May 2015, he scored both goals in the KNVB Cup final as they defeated reigning champions PEC Zwolle to win their first major trophy and qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
Personal life
Rusnak's father, also called Albert Rusnak, is himself a former professional footballer and manager who became a scout at Manchester City in 2010, taking his son to the club.
Style of play
Rusnak struggled while playing in The Football League, due to the style of play rewarding taller and physically stronger players. His manager at Cambuur, Marcel Keizer, noted how his style of play being better suited for a playmaker role rather than his position on the wing in England.