Ivan Vujica

Ivan Vujica (Croatian pronunciation: [ǐʋan ʋûjitsa] (born 20 April 1997) is an Australian footballer who plays as a left back for A-League club Western United. He has represented Croatia at youth level, being capped once for their under-19 side, and has represented Australia at youth level, being capped for their under-23 side.

Ivan Vujica
Personal information
Full name Ivan Vujica
Date of birth (1997-04-20) 20 April 1997
Place of birth Sydney, Australia
Height 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position(s) Left back
Club information
Current team
 Western United
Number 13
Youth career
2007–2009 Southern Districts
2010–2011 Sydney United
2011 NK Sesvete
2011–2013 NK Lokomotiva Zagreb
2013–2016 Dinamo Zagreb
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Newcastle Jets 46 (0)
2019– Western United 0 (0)
National team‡
2016 Croatia U-19 1 (0)
2019– Australia U-23 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23 June 2019
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 25 March 2019

Club career

Move to Croatia

Vujica departed Australia in 2011 to pursue a football career in Croatia, initially with NK Sesvete, before moving to GNK Dinamo Zagreb farm-side NK Lokomotiva Zagreb.[1] In 2013, Vujica moved to Dinamo Zagreb.[1]

Return to Australia

On 4 July 2016, Vujica signed a two-year contract with Newcastle Jets.[1] Vujica made his professional debut in the first round of the 2016–17 A-League, coming on as a substitute for Daniel Mullen in a 1–1 draw with Adelaide United.[2] He went on to make 10 starts that season but struggled to make the Left Back spot his own in the starting 11, He finished his first season in professional football with a combined total of 865 minutes.

2017–18

Vujica had a strong pre-season, catching the eye of new coach Ernie Merrick along the way. In Round 1 of that season against the Central Coast Mariners Vujica just edged past seasoned veteran Jason Hoffman for the starting left back spot. Following strong performances in the first three rounds, he signed a new two-year deal on 29 October 2017.[3] As the season progressed Vujica emerged as one of Newcastle's biggest talents for the future.

Western United

On 23 June 2019, Vujica signed a two-year deal with new A-League club Western United following mutually terminating his contract with Newcastle Jets in the search for more game time.[4]

International career

Vujica was called up to the Croatia Under-19 side for a UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifier against Kazakhstan. To date his only international game, he participated in a narrow 1–0 victory.[5]

References
  1. "Transfer news: Jets sign Croatian youth international". A-League. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  2. Dillon, Robert (9 October 2016). "Newcastle Jets grind out draw with Adelaide United in A-League opener". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  3. "Ivan Vujica re-signs for two seasons". Newcastle Jets. 29 October 2017.
  4. Lynch, Joey (23 June 2019). "Western United add Ivan Vujica to defensive stocks". Daily Football Show.
  5. http://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/season=2016/clubs/player=250087679/index.html
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