Mateo Poljak Explained

Mateo Poljak
Fullname:Mateo Hrvatsko Poljak[1]
Birth Date:1989 9, df=yes
Birth Place:Zagreb, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia
Height:1.82 m
Position:Defensive midfielder
Youthyears1:2000–2008
Youthclubs1:Dinamo Zagreb
Years1:2008–2009
Clubs1:Lokomotiva Zagreb
Caps1:26
Goals1:8
Years2:2010–2012
Clubs2:Dinamo Zagreb
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2010–2012
Clubs3:Lokomotiva Zagreb (loan)
Caps3:60
Goals3:4
Years4:2012–2015
Clubs4:Western Sydney Wanderers
Caps4:66
Goals4:3
Years5:2015–2017
Clubs5:Newcastle Jets
Caps5:50
Goals5:3
Years6:2017
Clubs6:Astra Giurgiu
Caps6:3
Goals6:0
Years7:2018
Clubs7:Marconi
Caps7:15
Goals7:2
Years8:2019–2019
Clubs8:Sutherland Sharks
Caps8:18
Goals8:1
Years9:2020
Clubs9:Mt Druitt Town Rangers
Caps9:0
Goals9:0
Nationalyears1:2005–2008
Nationalteam1:Croatia U19
Nationalcaps1:8
Nationalgoals1:1
Pcupdate:4 December 2020
Ntupdate:11 September 2009

Mateo Hrvatsko Poljak (pronounced as /hr/; born 10 September 1989) is a Croatian footballer who last played as a defensive midfielder for Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

Club career

Croatia

After going through the youth ranks of Dinamo Zagreb, Poljak was moved to their feeder team Lokomotiva Zagreb, then playing in the Druga HNL. After a season there he signed a 7-year contract with the club, which was taken over by Dinamo at the beginning of 2010. He spent the next two and a half seasons on loan at Lokomotiva, however, before his contract was terminated in the summer of 2012.

Western Sydney Wanderers

On 13 August 2012 it was announced that Poljak had signed with the newly formed A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers.[2] He signed an initial two-year contract, set to expire in July 2014. In his first season with Western Sydney, he made 25 appearances, a mainstay of the side's midfield, scoring one goal and helping the Wanderers win the A-League premiership in the club's first season. On 5 September 2013, Poljak signed a two-year extension with the club, the new contract ending mid 2016.[3]

Poljak again in his second season with Western Sydney was a constant starter throughout with his side finishing the league in second position. He was also a part of the side that won the 2014 AFC Champions League, later going on to compete in the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup.

Newcastle Jets

In 2015, Poljak was not retained by the Wanderers and joined Newcastle United Jets FC.

Personal life

Poljak is married to Katarina, and has a daughter, Mia.[4]

Career statistics

Club performanceLeagueCupContinentalTotal
Club Season LeagueApps GoalsApps GoalsApps GoalsApps Goals
CroatiaLeagueCroatian CupEuropeTotal
Lokomotiva Zagreb2008–09[5] Druga HNL268268
2009–10Prva HNL132132
2010–1123000230
2011–12242242
Total861200008612
AustraliaLeague1FFA CupAsia2Total
Western Sydney Wanderers2012–13[6] A-League251251
2013–1422161282
2014–1520100030
Total4921061563
Career total13514106114215
1 – includes A-League final series statistics
2AFC Champions League statistics are included in season ending during group stages (i.e. ACL 2014 and A-League season 2013–2014 etc.)

Honours

Western Sydney Wanderers

2014

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2014: List of Players . FIFA . 7 . 15 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150711154142/http://www.fifadata.com/document/FCWC/2014/pdf/FCWC_2014_SquadLists.pdf . 11 July 2015 . dead.
  2. Web site: Wanderers sign Croatian duo - Football Australia 2011 . 2012-08-13 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120818013858/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Wanderers-sign-Croatian-duo/48508 . 18 August 2012 .
  3. Web site: Poljak Pledges Future With Wanderers. Football Federation Australia. 5 September 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131113070119/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/poljak-pledges-future-with-wanderers/74279. 13 November 2013.
  4. Web site: Gardiner. James. A-League: Poljak future uncertain after hold up with Australian citizenship. The Newcastle Herald. 26 April 2017 . 28 April 2017.
  5. Web site: Mateo Poljak career statistics. Nogometni Magazin.
  6. Web site: Mateo Poljak (Western Sydney Wanderers). Ultimate A-League.