Ivan "Ico" Hitrec (13 April 1911 – 11 October 1946) was a Yugoslav football player.
He was the first technical officer and in his office in the Zagreb power-works in Gundulićeva Street, the best players from Građanski met and discussed forming a new club with blue shirts which later became Dinamo Zagreb.
Club career
The centre-forward became a legend after scoring twice against then famous Spanish keeper Ricardo Zamora during the first night game in Zagreb between Zagreb and Madrid in 1931. As one of the first Croatian international players, he went on to play for Grasshopper of Switzerland, and "Kicker", at the time the foremost sports journal in Europe, chose him as a member of the European elite 11. His final international was an October 1939 friendly match against Germany.
Style of play
Hitrec's play was characterized by excellent technique and dribbling skills. He was able to sprint 100 meters in under 12 seconds in football conditions making him one of the fastest footballers of the era.
Honours
Grasshopper Club Zürich
- Swiss Cup (1932)
HAŠK
- Yugoslav First League (1937/1938)