Jurica Vranjes

Jurica Vranješ

Jurica Vranješ in the match against Bayern Munich
Personal information
Date of birth	(1980-01-31) 31 January 1980 (age 37)
Place of birth	Osijek, SFR Yugoslavia
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position	Central midfielder
Youth career
0000–1997	NK Osijek
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1997–2000	NK Osijek	54	(10)
2000–2003	Bayer Leverkusen	46	(0)
2003–2005	VfB Stuttgart	39	(0)
2005–2011	Werder Bremen	90	(5)
2009–2010	→ Gençlerbirliği (loan)	13	(0)
2011–2012	Aris FC	2	(0)
2012	HNK Rijeka	6	(0)
Total		250	(15)
National team‡
1995–1996	Croatia U-18	6	(2)
1997–1999	Croatia U-19	12	(5)
1998–1999	Croatia U-20	2	(0)
1999–2001	Croatia U-21	18	(0)
1999–2007	Croatia	26	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12 November 2012. ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16 October 2007

Jurica Vranješ (pronounced [ˈjuritsa ˈʋraɲɛʃ]; born 31 January 1980) is a Croatian retired footballer . At his best, was a versatile midfielder who was valuable for club and country. Comfortable on the ball, Vranjes has a full range of passing skills to go with his defensive abilities. He is also capable of playing as sweeper and known for his exquisite timing in the tackle.

Vranješ was born in Osijek, Croatia. He started playing in NK Osijek where he played between 1997 and 1999. Some websites say Vranješ started his career at FK Vojvodina, but Vranješ himself explained how those websites confused their statistics with another player, Mićo Vranješ, playing back then in Vojvodina. After playing with Osijek in the Prva HNL, he then moved to Bayer Leverkusen where he played three seasons until moving to VfB Stuttgart in 2003 and finally to Werder Bremen in 2005. His current club announced on 24 August 2009 that he can leave the club. On 29 January 2010, he left SV Werder Bremen and was loaned to Gençlerbirliği for the rest of the season. In September 2011, Vranješ joined Aris Thessaloniki F.C.. He made his debut in the yellow jersey against Olympiakos F.C.. His contract was terminated on 10 January 2012. In May 2012, he joined HNK Rijeka in Croatia, where he played six games before his contract with the club was terminated in November 2012.

Vranješ was part of the Croatian national team in 2002 FIFA World Cup where he played in two games. He also played in the Croatian team at the 1998 Under-18 European Championship when Croatia won the third place.