Roberto Punčec Explained

Roberto Punčec
Birth Date:1991 10, df=yes
Birth Place:Varaždin, Croatia
Height:1.86 m
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Šibenik
Clubnumber:24
Youthyears1:1999–2002
Youthclubs1:Trnje Trnovec
Youthyears2:2002–2009
Years1:2008–2011
Caps1:53
Goals1:1
Years2:2011–2013
Caps2:18
Goals2:0
Years3:2012–2013
Clubs3:Union Berlin (loan)
Caps3:21
Goals3:0
Years4:2013–2017
Clubs4:Union Berlin
Caps4:100
Goals4:1
Years5:2017–2019
Clubs5:Rijeka
Caps5:58
Goals5:1
Years6:2019–2021
Clubs6:Sporting Kansas City
Caps6:23
Goals6:0
Years7:2022–2023
Clubs7:Botev Plovdiv
Caps7:44
Goals7:0
Years8:2024–
Clubs8:Šibenik
Caps8:11
Goals8:1
Nationalyears1:2005
Nationalteam1:Croatia U14
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2007
Nationalteam2:Croatia U16
Nationalcaps2:4
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2007–2008
Nationalcaps3:4
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2009
Nationalteam4:Croatia U18
Nationalcaps4:7
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:2009–2010
Nationalcaps5:10
Nationalgoals5:0
Nationalyears6:2011
Nationalcaps6:3
Nationalgoals6:0
Nationalyears7:2010–2011
Nationalcaps7:6
Nationalgoals7:0
Club-Update:4 May 2024
Nationalteam-Update:27 May 2015

Roberto Punčec (in Croatian pûːntʃeːts/; born 27 October 1991) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Šibenik.

Club career

A product of NK Varteks youth academy, Punčec joined the first team in the 2008–09 season and had his professional debut on 2 November 2008 in a league match against Hajduk Split. He went on to appear in 27 matches for the club in his first two professional seasons, with the club changing its name to NK Varaždin in mid-2010.[1]

After filing for arbitration to Croatian Football Federation his contract with the financially troubled Varaždin was terminated due to unpaid wages, and on 31 August 2011, Punčec signed a two-year contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv.[2]

In July 2012, Punčec joined Union Berlin on a season-long loan with the option to buy.[3] Following five years with Union Berlin, in June 2017, Punčec joined Rijeka on a three-year deal as a free-agent.[4]

On 4 December 2019, it was announced Punčec would join Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City ahead of the 2020 season.[5] Following the 2021 season, Punčec's contract option was declined by Kansas City.[6] In February 2022, he signed a contract with Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv.[7]

International career

Punčec has been capped at the Croatia national team at every youth level, and was part of the Croatia squad at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, playing in all three of their group stage matches.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Varteks2008–09Prva HNL6060
2009–1021150261
Varaždin2010–1125062312
2011–12102030
Varteks / Varaždin total53111220663
Maccabi Tel Aviv2011–12Premier League18050230
Union Berlin2012–132. Bundesliga21020230
2013–1421020230
2014–1530010310
2015–1623100231
2016–1726020280
Total121170001281
Rijeka2017–18Prva Liga2713030331
2018–192204020280
2019–20903240162
Total58110290773
Career total25032841602947

Honours

Rijeka

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Punčec, Roberto. Nogometni magazin. Croatian. 25 July 2010.
  2. News: Punčec u Maccabiju . Strahija . Ivana . 31 August 2011 . Sportnet.hr . Croatian . 31 August 2011.
  3. Web site: 1. FC Union Berlin e.V. leiht Roberto Puncec von Maccabi Tel Aviv . German . 1. FC Union Berlin . 16 July 2012.
  4. News: Roberto Punčec novi igrač Rijeke . Vujnović . Korado . 16 June 2017 . Radio Rijeka . Croatian . 17 June 2017.
  5. Web site: Sporting Kansas City sign Croatian defender Roberto Puncec. mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. 4 December 2019.
  6. Web site: Roster decision deadline: Sporting KC, FC Dallas, Austin FC announce moves | MLSSoccer.com. mlssoccer.
  7. Web site: Ботев Пловдив подписа с Роберто Пунчец. 7dnisport.bg. Bulgarian. 14 February 2022. 17 August 2023.
  8. News: KRAJ U PULI: Rijeka na krilima Simona Sluge i Zorana Kvržića stigla do sedmog Kupa u povijesti!. . Croatian. 22 May 2019.