Jason Culina
 |
|||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jason Culina | ||
| Date of birth | 5 August 1980 | ||
| Place of birth | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| St Albans | |||
| Melbourne Knights | |||
| 1994–1996 | Sydney United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1996–1998 | Sydney United | 32 | (1) |
| 1998–1999 | Sydney Olympic | 21 | (1) |
| 2000–2004 | Ajax | 3 | (0) |
| 2001 | → Germinal Beerschot (loan) | 12 | (1) |
| 2002–2003 | → De Graafschap (loan) | 24 | (1) |
| 2004–2005 | FC Twente | 38 | (12) |
| 2005–2009 | PSV | 98 | (3) |
| 2009–2011 | Gold Coast United | 44 | (8) |
| 2011 | Newcastle Jets | 0 | (0) |
| 2012–2013 | Sydney FC | 8 | (2) |
| Total | 280 | (29) | |
| National team‡ | |||
| 1996–1997 | Australia U-17 | 5 | (6) |
| 1999 | Australia U-20 | 4 | (1) |
| 1998–2000 | Australia U-23 | 16 | (1) |
| 2005–2011 | Australia | 58 | (1) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18 June 2013. ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18 June 2013 |
|||
Jason Culina (Croatian: Jason Čulina, pronounced [t͡ʃǔlina]; born 5 August 1980) is a former Australian football (soccer) player.
Culina started off with Sydney United under his father, Branko, before moving on to Ajax where he struggled in the reserves. Only after moving to FC Twente did Culina begin to shine at the top level in club football. This was proved by his moving to another top Dutch club, PSV Eindhoven. Whilst originally an attack minded midfielder with Twente, at PSV Culina played more in a disciplined defensive role for the club with immediate success. In his final year at PSV, Culina was mainly deployed at right back with further success thus attributing to Culina's versatility and utility value.
On 9 January 2009 Culina announced his intention to return to Australia after turning down a contract extension from PSV as he sought a new challenge and a fresh start in Australia.
"I want to make a fresh start and I am ready for a new challenge. I am the first international who returns to Australia and I am keen to promote the national competition and raise the standard."
On 14 January 2009 he was signed by Gold Coast United on a three-year deal becoming the club's first marquee player. On 1 July 2009 he made his Gold Coast debut in a friendly in Singapore against a Singapore Olympic Selection, coming on as a substitute for Steve Pantelidis and scoring in the 88th minute from 25 yards out. On 22 February 2011 it was revealed Culina would join his father Branko Culina at the Newcastle Jets. Culina was injured long term and missed the 2011/2012 season. Čulina's contract was set aside, but he continued his rehab and training with the club.
On 12 October 2012 he signed with A-League club Sydney FC. However, he lasted less than a year with the club, parting ways with the club in February 2013, after a disagreement with manager Frank Farina. Culina announced his retirement on 18 June 2013, at an FFA function.
...
Wikipedia