Vedran Ćorluka

Vedran Ćorluka
Ćorluka with Croatia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Vedran Ćorluka
Date of birth (1986-02-05) 5 February 1986
Place of birth Derventa, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)[1]
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current team
 Lokomotiv Moscow
Number 14
Youth career
Dinamo Zagreb
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2007 Dinamo Zagreb 61 (7)
2004–2005 → Inter Zaprešić (loan) 27 (4)
2007–2008 Manchester City 38 (1)
2008–2012 Tottenham Hotspur 81 (1)
2012 → Bayer Leverkusen (loan) 7 (0)
2012– Lokomotiv Moscow 139 (7)
National team‡
2002 Croatia U16 7 (2)
2002–2003 Croatia U17 11 (2)
2003 Croatia U18 3 (0)
2004–2005 Croatia U19 12 (4)
2005–2006 Croatia U21 9 (0)
2006–2018 Croatia 103 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 7 October 2018
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 July 2018

Vedran Ćorluka (pronounced [ʋědran tɕǒrluka];[2] born 5 February 1986) is a Croatian footballer who plays for and captains Lokomotiv Moscow and played for the Croatia national team. He plays as a centre-back, though he has played in other positions across the defensive line, most notably as a right-back.

Ćorluka graduated from the Dinamo Zagreb Youth Academy, before making his professional debut for the senior team in 2003. In 2007, he made a £8 million move to Premier League club Manchester City, and after a season moved on to Tottenham Hotspur. He spent four seasons there before joining Lokomotiv.

Internationally, Ćorluka represented Croatia at various youth levels before making his first team debut in August 2006, in the friendly match against world champions Italy. Since then, he has represented the country at the European Championships in 2008, 2012, 2016 and at the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and 2018, earning over 100 caps. In August 2018, Ćorluka confirmed his retirement from international football.[3]

Club career

Early days

Ćorluka was born in Derventa, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia. His parents, Jozo and Anđa, come from Modran, a village near Derventa. Due to the war in Bosnia, in 1992 the family moved to Zagreb, where his father still works as an engineer in addition to being Ćorluka's manager. His mother is a judge. Vedran has one brother.[4] Ćorluka began playing football in Dinamo Zagreb's youth teams when he was eight years old, impressing many scouts from the youth academy.[5] His professional career began in 2003, but during that season he made no appearance for the first team. He was sent on a one-year loan to Inter Zaprešić, helping the team place second in the league, before returning to Dinamo in 2005. After establishing himself as a key player for Dinamo, he helped the club win the Croatian First League title three seasons in a row from 2005–06. He also played a dominant part in his side capturing the Croatian Cup in the 2006 season.

Manchester City

After consistently strong performances, Ćorluka was signed by English Premier League side Manchester City on 2 August 2007.[6][7] City did not reveal the fee, though Croatian media reports suggested the deal was worth around £8 million, with the 21-year-old penning a five-year deal.[8]

As usual, Ćorluka consistently found a starting spot for his side in the Premier League. Despite a nightmare blunder during his side's shocking 6–0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, he remained strong during his first season in England as his side finished ninth in the league and gained entry to a UEFA Cup qualifying round via the UEFA fair play ranking. On few rare occasions, he was also used as a defensive midfielder during the season, proving to be a factor for opposing attackers.

Ćorluka scored his first goal in the 4–2 loss at Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the 2008–09 season.[9] In the UEFA Cup second qualifying round match second leg, Ćorluka scored the decisive spot kick in the dramatic 4–2 penalty shoot-out victory over Danish minnows Midtjylland after the tie had ended 1–1 on aggregate. He played his last match for City against Sunderland on 31 August 2008, throwing his shirt into the crowd at the end of the match.[10]

Tottenham Hotspur

Ćorluka taking a throw-in for Tottenham Hotspur

On 1 September 2008, it was announced that Ćorluka had signed for Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £8.5 million on a six-year contract, joining his fellow Croatian international and best friend Luka Modrić at the club.[11] During the match against Stoke City on 19 October, Ćorluka was severely injured; kneed under his chin by teammate Heurelho Gomes, he was immediately knocked unconscious. After ten minutes of on-field treatment, he was rushed to hospital where it was announced no serious damage was evident.[12] In the League Cup final on 1 March 2009, Ćorluka scored his and Tottenham's only penalty in the shootout loss to Manchester United, receiving a runners up medal for his efforts.[13][14]

Ćorluka scored his first Premier League goal for Spurs during a 2–2 draw against Bolton Wanderers on 3 October 2009. On 2 February 2011, he started and played the full 90 minutes at right-back ahead of the injured Alan Hutton in the 1–0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.[15]

Bayer Leverkusen (loan)

In the January 2012 transfer window, Ćorluka signed on loan for German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen for the remainder of the 2011–12 season on 31 January, with the option to buy out his contract in the summer transfer window.[16]

Ćorluka made his debut for the club in a 2–2 home draw against VfB Stuttgart at the BayArena on 4 February, playing the full 90 minutes.[17] In his only Champions League appearance for the club, Ćorluka provided the cross for Michal Kadlec's leveler in the 52nd minute in a 3–1 loss to Barcelona.[18] On 25 February, the defender provided an assist for the first of Lars Bender's brace in the 2–0 win over 1. FC Köln.[19]

Lokomotiv Moscow

Ćorluka with Lokomotiv Moscow in 2017

On 27 June 2012, Lokomotiv Moscow announced the signing of Ćorluka from Tottenham for £5.5 million. The signing came in light of recent naming of former Croatia national team Slaven Bilić as the manager of Lokomotiv. Ćorluka signed a three-year contract following the successful completion of his medical examination.[20] He scored on his debut against newly promoted Mordovia Saransk in a 3–2 victory. In September 2012,[21] March 2014,[22] and December 2014[23] Ćorluka won the monthly poll among Loko supporters in the social networks and was named the best club player of the month. In June 2015, after Ćorluka helped Lokomotiv to win Russian Cup, fans named him team's Player of the Year.[24]

International career

Playing for Croatia

He started to play for the Croatia under-21 team and eventually progressed to his country's senior national team, for which he soon made his debut in the friendly match against world champions Italy on 16 August 2006 in Livorno. Croatia won the match 2–0 and Ćorluka, aged 20 during his debut, entered the game in the second half and satisfied critics with his very good, solid performance against experienced Serie A forwards.

During Croatia's UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, he became one of the key players under head coach Slaven Bilić. Croatia finished first in Group E, notably ahead of Russia and favourites England, who eventually failed to qualify from the group.

Ćorluka was in the final match of the tournament where Croatia's exit came against Turkey in extra time and penalties.[25] Turkey winger Arda Turan revealed in an interview with UEFA that Ćorluka is the most difficult right-back he has ever played against, whom he came up against during this match.[26]

The defender was included for the preliminary squad for Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine after impressive performances in his loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen.[27]

Ćorluka was included in Croatia's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[28] On 21 June, he came on as an added-time substitute for Mario Mandžukić in a 3–0 group stage win over Argentina at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, earning his 100th cap.[29]

On 10 August 2018, Ćorluka retired from international football, confirming his retirement via social media.[30][31]

Personal life

Ćorluka married his long-time girlfriend, Croatian singer Franka Batelić on 21 July 2018.[32]

Career statistics

Club

As of 30 July 2018[33][34]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Inter Zaprešić (loan) 2004–05 27400———274
Dinamo Zagreb 2005–06 31321———334
2006–07 30480—6010454
2007–08 0000—10—10
Total 617101007010798
Manchester City 2007–08 3503030——410
2008–09 31000030—61
Total 38130303000471
Tottenham Hotspur 2008–09 340205000—410
2009–10 2915020——361
2010–11 150100080—240
2011–12 30001040—80
Total 8118080120001091
Bayer Leverkusen (loan) 2011–12 7000—10—80
Lokomotiv Moscow 2012–13 27110———281
2013–14 28100———281
2014–15 26240—20—322
2015–16 24300—4010293
2016–17 19020———210
2017–18 6000—200080
2018–19 1000—001020
Total 1317700080201487
Career Total 345202811103103041821

International

As of 11 July 2018[35]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Croatia
200650
2007110
2008130
200971
201060
2011101
201282
2013100
2014100
201550
2016100
201700
201880
Total1034

International goals

Scores and results list Croatia's goal tally first.[35]
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.8 October 2009Stadion Kantrida, Rijeka, Croatia Qatar1–03–2Friendly
2.11 November 2011Türk Telekom Arena, Istanbul, Turkey Turkey3–03–0UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
3.25 May 2012Stadion Aldo Drosina, Pula, Croatia Estonia1–03–1Friendly
4.12 October 2012Philip II Arena, Skopje, Macedonia Macedonia1–12–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

Dinamo Zagreb[33]
Tottenham Hotspur
Lokomotiv Moscow

International

Croatia

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  2. ↑ "vȅdar". Hrvatski jezični portal (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved 17 March 2018. Vèdran
  3. ↑ "Vatreni velikan Vedran Ćorluka oprostio se od reprezentacije!" (in Croatian). Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  4. ↑ "ĆORLUKA (Vedran Ćorluka) – Manchester City and Croatia". footballdatabase.com. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  5. ↑ "Vedran Corluka – Manchester City's New Croatian International". Soccerphile. Soccerphile.com. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  6. ↑ "Elano heads Man City triple swoop". British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC Sport. 2 August 2007. Retrieved 2 August 2007.
  7. ↑ Oscroft, Tim (2 August 2007). "Sven welcomes Corluka". Manchester City F.C. mcfc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  8. ↑ Bailey, Graeme (2 August 2007). "City land Croatian stopper". Sky Sports. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  9. ↑ Bevan, Chris (17 August 2008). "Aston Villa 4–2 Man City". British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  10. ↑ Stevenson, Jonathan (1 September 2008). "Transfer deadline day". British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 September 2008.
  11. ↑ "Spurs sign Corluka from Man City". British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC Sport. 1 September 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  12. ↑ Hughes, Ian (19 October 2008). "Stoke 2–1 Tottenham". British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  13. ↑ "FT: Man United 0 Tottenham 0 (MU win 4–1 on penalties)". Sky Sports. skysports.com. 1 March 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  14. 1 2 Phil McNulty (1 March 2009). "Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham (aet) - Man Utd win 4-1 on penalties". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  15. ↑ Lyon, Sam (3 October 2009). "Bolton 2–2 Tottenham". British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  16. ↑ "Vedran Corluka leaves Tottenham to join Bayer Leverkusen on loan". British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC Sport. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  17. ↑ "Bayer Leverkusen 2–2 VfB Stuttgart". ESPN Soccernet. 4 February 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  18. ↑ Ornstein, David (14 February 2012). "Bayer Leverkusen 1–3 Barcelona". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  19. ↑ "Rhine revenge for Leverkusen". bundesliga.de. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  20. ↑ "Archived copy" Ведран Чорлука подписал контракт с "Локомотивом" (in Russian). fclm.ru. 27 June 2012. Archived from the original on 29 June 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  21. ↑ "{title}" Ведран Чорлука – игрок сентября! (in Russian). FC Lokomotiv Moscow. 8 October 2012. Archived from the original on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  22. ↑ "{title}" Ведран Чорлука – игрок марта! (in Russian). FC Lokomotiv Moscow. 7 April 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  23. ↑ Ведран Чорлука – игрок декабря! (in Russian). FC Lokomotiv Moscow. 15 December 2014.
  24. ↑ Ведран Чорлука – лучший игрок «Локомотива» в сезоне! (in Russian). FC Lokomotiv Moscow. 8 June 2015.
  25. ↑ Kay, Oliver (20 June 2008). "Slaven Bilic left dazed by reversal of fortune". Vienna: The Times Online. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  26. ↑ "Arda stronger and wiser". UEFA. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  27. ↑ "Bilic drops Petri and Klasnic from Croatia squad as he reveals he will step down as manager after Euro 2012". rte.ie. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  28. ↑ "World Cup 2018: Dejan Lovren named in strong Croatia squad". BBC Sport. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  29. ↑ "Argentina 0–3 Croatia". Sky Sports. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  30. ↑ "Vatreni velikan Vedran Ćorluka oprostio se od reprezentacije!" (in Croatian). Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  31. ↑ "Vedran Ćorluka on Instagram: "Dragi navijaci Hrvatske reprezentacije, nakon 12 godina i 103 nastupa u najdrazem dresu došlo je vrijeme da se oprostim od Hrvatske…"". Instagram. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  32. ↑ Benčić, Luka; Ban, Barbara (21 July 2018). "Vedran izrekli sudbonosno 'da' na hrvatskom vjenčanju godine!". Jutarnji (in Croatian). Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  33. 1 2 "V. Ćorluka". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  34. ↑ "Vedran Corluka" (in German). kicker.de. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  35. 1 2 "Vedran Ćorluka profile". eu-football.info. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  36. ↑ McNulty, Phil (15 July 2018). "France 4–2 Croatia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  37. ↑ Ведран Чорлука – лучший игрок «Локомотива» в сезоне! (in Russian). 8 June 2015.
  38. ↑ "Vedran Ćorluka dobio nagradu 'Vatrena krila'" (in Croatian). www.nacional.hr. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
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