Tomislav Mrčela Explained

Tomislav Mrčela
Fullname:Tomislav Mrčela
Birth Date:1 October 1990
Birth Place:Perth, Western Australia
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Rudeš
Youthyears1:2001–2009
Youthclubs1:RNK Split
Years1:2009
Clubs1:Jadran Kaštel Sućurac
Years2:2010–2011
Caps2:32
Goals2:0
Clubs2:Primorac 1929
Years3:2011
Caps3:13
Goals3:3
Clubs3:Imotski
Years4:2012
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Clubs4:RNK Split
Years5:2012
Caps5:28
Goals5:0
Clubs5:Imotski (loan)
Years6:2013
Caps6:12
Goals6:1
Clubs6:Mosor
Years7:2013–2014
Caps7:27
Goals7:2
Clubs7:Hrvatski Dragovoljac
Years8:2014–2016
Caps8:50
Goals8:2
Clubs8:Lokomotiva
Years9:2016–2018
Caps9:51
Goals9:3
Clubs9:Jeonnam Dragons
Years10:2018–2020
Caps10:30
Goals10:2
Clubs10:Perth Glory
Years11:2021–2022
Clubs11:East Bengal
Caps11:9
Goals11:1
Years12:2022–2023
Clubs12:Western Sydney Wanderers
Caps12:38
Goals12:1
Years13:2023–2024
Clubs13:Neftchi Fergana
Caps13:8
Goals13:0
Years14:2024–
Clubs14:Rudeš
Caps14:15
Goals14:3
Club-Update:26 May 2024
Nationalteam-Update:13 June 2015

Tomislav Mrčela (pronounced as /hr/;[1] born 1 October 1990) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Rudeš.[2]

Club career

Mrcela left Australia at a young age and joined the youth academy of Dalmatian side RNK Split. He left Split in 2009 to join Jadran Kaštel, a third division side at the time, and later signed for NK Primorac 1929 in 2010.

In mid 2011, Tomislav joined NK Imotski. Despite being just 20 years of age, Mrcela was immediately a starter. Missing just one game all season, Mrcela made 29 appearances and scored a further three goals. Mrcela continued his good form into the next season and missed just one further game by January 2013. His good form led to a move to fellow second division side NK Mosor where he played out the remainder of the 2012–13 season.

After good performances at Mosor, he moved to top division side NK Hrvatski Dragovoljac. Initially Mrcela struggled, making just four appearances in the first twelve rounds but then became a mainstay in the starting XI. Unfortunately his side were relegated by the end of the season but Mrcela did enough to convince ambitious Zagreb side NK Lokomotiva to keep him in the first division by signing him on a four-year deal[3]

Mrcela scored his first goal for Lokomotiva on debut in a 5–2 loss against HNK Hajduk Split.

On 28 June 2016, Mrcela transferred to South Korean club Jeonnam Dragons.

On 14 June 2018, Mrcela left Jeonnam Dragons to join Australian A-League club Perth Glory on a two-year deal.[4] During his stay at the club, he won the A-League and contributed massively to the team's success.[5]

On 14 September 2021, Mrcela joined Indian Super League club SC East Bengal[6] on a one-year deal. He scored his first goal for the club on 12 December in a 1–1 draw against Kerala Blasters.[7] He was later replaced by Nepali defender Ananta Tamang as their sole AFC Quota.[8]

On 17 February 2022, he moved back to Australia signing with Western Sydney Wanderers until the end of the 2021–22 A-League Men season as an injury replacement player for captain Rhys Williams.[9] After making 12 appearances, Mrcela signed a two-year contract extension with the club.[10]

Mrcela scored his first goal for the Wanderers on 15 October 2022 in a 1-0 win against Melbourne Victory.[11] After helping the club to their first finals appearance in 6 years, Mrcela left the club to join Uzbek side Neftchi Fergana.[12]

International career

Holding dual citizenship, Mrcela is eligible to play for either Croatia or Australia. On 10 June 2015, he was named in a 23-man squad for Australia before two 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Kyrgyzstan.[13]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Imotski2011–12Druga HNL27300273
2012–1314000140
Total4130000413
Mosor2012–13Druga HNL12100121
Total1210000121
Hrvatski Dragovoljac2013–14Prva HNL27200272
Total2720000272
Lokomotiva Zagreb2014–15Prva HNL30130331
2015–162012040261
Total5025040592
Jeonnam Dragons2016K League 121000210
201728320303
2018200020
Total5132000533
Perth Glory2018–19A-League12000120
2019–201821110203
Total3021110323
East Bengal2021–22Indian Super League910091
Western Sydney Wanderers2021–22A-League12000120
Career total23214815024515

Honours

Perth Glory

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tòmislav. Tòmislav. Hrvatski jezični portal. 2018-03-20. sh.
    - Web site: mȋrta. Mr̀čela. Hrvatski jezični portal. 2018-03-20. sh.
  2. Web site: Desk. India com Sports. 2021-09-14. ISL 2021-22: SC East Bengal Signs Tomislav Mrcela: All You Need to Know. 2021-09-14. India News, Breaking News India.com. en.
  3. https://int.soccerway.com/players/tomislav-mrela/266496/ Soccerway profile
  4. News: Perth Glory sign former Socceroos defender Tomislav Mrcela. Nick. Taylor. The West Australian. 14 June 2018.
  5. News: 2021-09-14. ISL: SC East Bengal sign Australian defender Tomislav Mrcela. The Bridge. en.
  6. Web site: SC EAST BENGAL ANNOUNCED THIRTY THREE MEMBER SQUAD FOR ISL. kolkatafootball.com. 5 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211103150322/https://www.kolkatafootball.com/live_news_update/index.html. 3 November 2021. live.
  7. https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl/2021-2022/news/isl-2021-22-sc-east-bengal-kerala-blasters-1-1-draw-fc-sceb-kbfc-indian-super-league/article37937114.ece ISL 2021-22: Mrcela, Vazquez goals leads to 1-1 draw between SC East Bengal and Kerala Blasters
  8. Web site: ISL Season 8: SC East Bengal bolster their backline by signing Nepal international Ananta Tamang. Atrayo. Bhattacharya. insidesport.in. InsidePost. 11 February 2022. 11 February 2022.
  9. News: New signing for A-League's Wanderers. George. Clarke. FTBL. 17 February 2022.
  10. Web site: Mrcela re-signs with the Red & Black. Western Sydney Wanderers. 27 June 2022.
  11. News: Western Sydney Wanderers end Melbourne Victory's unbeaten A-League Men run thanks to Mrcela magic. Joey. Lynch. ESPN Australia. 16 October 2022.
  12. News: Star defender departs Wanderers to pursue overseas opportunities. Nick. D'Urbano. KEEPUP. 25 July 2023.
  13. Web site: Mrcela ready to show Socceroos his quality. Socceroos. 10 June 2015 . 27 April 2016.
  14. https://www.a-league.com.au/news/perth-glory-claim-their-first-hyundai-a-league-premiership Perth Glory claim their first Hyundai A-League Premiership