Ivan Vujica Explained

Ivan Vujica
Birth Date:20 April 1997
Birth Place:Sydney, Australia
Height:1.80 m
Position:Left-back
Currentclub:Macarthur
Clubnumber:13
Youthyears1:2007–2009
Youthclubs1:Southern Districts
Youthyears2:2010–2011
Youthclubs2:Sydney United
Youthyears3:2011
Youthclubs3:Sesvete
Youthyears4:2011–2013
Youthclubs4:Lokomotiva Zagreb
Youthyears5:2013–2016
Youthclubs5:Dinamo Zagreb
Years1:2016–2019
Clubs1:Newcastle Jets
Caps1:46
Goals1:0
Years2:2019–2022
Clubs2:Western United
Caps2:12
Goals2:1
Years3:2021
Clubs3:Western United NPL
Caps3:6
Goals3:0
Years4:2022–
Clubs4:Macarthur
Caps4:51
Goals4:0
Nationalyears1:2016
Nationalteam1:Croatia U19
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2019
Nationalteam2:Australia U23
Nationalcaps2:3
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:9 May 2024
Nationalteam-Update:25 March 2019

Ivan Vujica (pronounced as /hr/; born 20 April 1997) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Macarthur. 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.

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.

Return to Australia

On 4 July 2016, Vujica signed a two-year contract with Newcastle Jets. 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. He participated in a narrow 1–0 victory.[5]

Honours

Macarthur

2022[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Transfer news: Jets sign Croatian youth international. A-League. 4 July 2016. 5 July 2016.
  2. News: Newcastle Jets grind out draw with Adelaide United in A-League opener. Sydney Morning Herald. 9 October 2016. 10 October 2016. Dillon, Robert.
  3. Web site: Ivan Vujica re-signs for two seasons. Newcastle Jets. 29 October 2017.
  4. Web site: Western United add Ivan Vujica to defensive stocks. Daily Football Show. Lynch. Joey. 23 June 2019. 23 June 2019. 24 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190624054909/https://dailyfootballshow.com/western-united-add-ivan-vujica-to-defensive-stocks/. dead.
  5. Web site: Og-title-youthleague-player.
  6. News: Macarthur prevail in Australia cup final against Sydney United. Timothy. Gibson. The Football Sack. 2 October 2022. 4 October 2022.