Toni Šunjić Explained

Toni Šunjić
Birth Date:15 December 1988
Birth Place:Mostar, SFR Yugoslavia
Height:1.94 m
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Zrinjski Mostar
Clubnumber:44
Youthclubs1:Zrinjski Mostar
Years1:2007–2012
Clubs1:Zrinjski Mostar
Caps1:76
Goals1:1
Years2:2010–2011
Clubs2:Kortrijk (loan)
Caps2:15
Goals2:0
Years3:2012–2014
Clubs3:Zorya Luhansk
Caps3:63
Goals3:0
Years4:2014–2015
Clubs4:Kuban Krasnodar
Caps4:28
Goals4:1
Years5:2015–2017
Clubs5:VfB Stuttgart
Caps5:29
Goals5:3
Years6:2017
Clubs6:Palermo (loan)
Caps6:7
Goals6:0
Years7:2017–2020
Clubs7:Dynamo Moscow
Caps7:77
Goals7:5
Years8:2020–2021
Clubs8:Beijing Guoan
Caps8:0
Goals8:0
Years9:2020
Clubs9:Henan (loan)
Caps9:0
Goals9:0
Years10:2021–2023
Clubs10:Henan
Caps10:71
Goals10:1
Years11:2024–
Clubs11:Zrinjski Mostar
Caps11:11
Goals11:0
Nationalyears1:2006
Nationalteam1:Bosnia and Herzegovina U19
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2008–2010
Nationalteam2:Bosnia and Herzegovina U21
Nationalcaps2:10
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2012–2020
Nationalteam3:Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nationalcaps3:41
Nationalgoals3:1
Club-Update:11 August 2024

Toni Šunjić (pronounced as /hr/; born 15 December 1988) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Bosnian Premier League club Zrinjski Mostar.

Šunjić started his professional career at Zrinjski Mostar, who loaned him to Kortrijk in 2010. In 2012, he joined Zorya Luhansk. Two years later, he moved to Kuban Krasnodar. The following year, he was transferred to VfB Stuttgart, who sent him on loan to Palermo in 2017. Šunjić signed with Dynamo Moscow later that year. In 2020, he joined Beijing Guoan. Later that year, he was loaned to Henan, with whom he signed permanently a year later. In 2024, he went back to Zrinjski Mostar.

A former youth international for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Šunjić made his senior international debut in 2012, earning over 40 caps until 2020. He represented the nation at their first major championship, the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Early career

Šunjić came through the youth academy of his hometown club Zrinjski Mostar.[1] He made his professional debut in a UEFA Europa League qualifier against Partizan on 2 August 2007 at the age of 18.[2] On 3 August 2008, he scored his first professional goal in a triumph over Borac Banja Luka.[3] In August 2010, he was sent on a season-long loan to Belgian outfit Kortrijk.[4]

In January 2012, Šunjić joined Ukrainian team Zorya Luhansk.[5]

In July 2014, he switched to Russian side Kuban Krasnodar.[6]

VfB Stuttgart

In August 2015, Šunjić was transferred to German outfit VfB Stuttgart for an undisclosed fee.[7] He made his official debut for the squad against Hertha BSC on 12 September and managed to score a goal.[8]

Despite VfB Stuttgart's relegation to the 2. Bundesliga in May 2016, Šunjić decided to stay at the club.[9]

In January 2017, he was loaned to Italian side Palermo until the end of the season.[10]

Dynamo Moscow

In June, Šunjić signed a two-year deal with Dynamo Moscow.[11] He made his competitive debut for the team on 18 July against their biggest rivals Spartak Moscow.[12] On 3 November, he scored his first goal for Dynamo Moscow against Ural.[13]

In June 2019, he extended his contract with the squad until June 2021.[14]

Later stage of career

In September 2020, Šunjić moved to Chinese side Beijing Guoan, who loaned him to Henan, with an option to make the transfer permanent, which was activated in January 2021.[15]

In January 2024, he returned to Zrinjski Mostar.[16]

International career

Šunjić represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at various youth levels.[17]

In August 2012, he received his first senior call-up, for a friendly game against Wales,[18] and debuted in that game on 15 August.[19]

In June 2014, Šunjić was named in Bosnia and Herzegovina's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, country's first major competition.[20] He made his tournament debut in the second group match against Nigeria on 22 June.[21]

On 31 August 2017, in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Cyprus, Šunjić scored his first senior international goal.[22]

He retired from international football on 24 June 2021.[23]

Personal life

Šunjić has a daughter named Stefani with his long-time girlfriend Viktoria.[24]

Career statistics

Club

[25]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Zrinjski Mostar2007–08Bosnian Premier League703010110
2008–09Bosnian Premier League2313041302
2009–10Bosnian Premier League2807120371
2010–11Bosnian Premier League500061111
2011–12Bosnian Premier League13031161
Total7611621321055
Kortrijk (loan)2010–11Belgian Pro League15010160
Zorya Luhansk2011–12Ukrainian Premier League10010110
2012–13Ukrainian Premier League28010290
2013–14Ukrainian Premier League25010260
Total63030660
Kuban Krasnodar2014–15Russian Premier League22142263
2015–16Russian Premier League600060
Total28142323
VfB Stuttgart2015–16Bundesliga19131222
2016–172. Bundesliga10220122
Total29351344
Palermo (loan)2016–17Serie A7070
Dynamo Moscow2017–18Russian Premier League27310283
2018–19Russian Premier League29110301
2019–20Russian Premier League19000190
2020–21Russian Premier League21000021
Total7752000795
Henan (loan)2020Chinese Super League6060
Henan2021Chinese Super League19000190
2022Chinese Super League29100291
2023Chinese Super League23000230
Total7110060771
Zrinjski Mostar2023–24Bosnian Premier League10060160
2024–25Bosnian Premier League10004050
Total1106040210
Career total377113751726043718

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[26]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Bosnia and Herzegovina
201230
201320
201490
201560
201650
201741
201880
201930
202010
Total411

Scores and results list Bosnia and Herzegovina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Šunjić goal.

List of international goals scored by Toni Šunjić
scope=colNo.scope=colDatescope=colVenuescope=colCapscope=colOpponentscope=colScorescope=colResultscope=colCompetition
131 August 2017GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus281–02–32018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Zrinjski Mostar[25]

2008–09

2007–08, 2023–24

Notes and References

  1. News: Toni Šunjić i Marin Aničić: Ponos Zrinjskog i Mostara. hercegovina.info. 28 August 2015. 31 August 2015. Croatian.
  2. News: Partizan deklasirao Zrinjski sa 5:0. b92.net. 2 August 2007. 4 August 2007. Serbian.
  3. News: Žižović donio bodove Zrinjskom. sportsport.ba. 3 August 2008. 4 August 2008. Bosnian.
  4. News: Šunjić otišao, Đurić došao. sportsport.ba. 31 August 2010. 1 September 2010. Bosnian.
  5. News: Šunjić na korak do Zorye. sportsport.ba. 18 January 2012. 21 January 2012. Bosnian.
  6. News: Službeno: Toni Šunjić potpisao za Kuban Krasnodar. reprezentacija.ba. 9 July 2014. 11 July 2014. Bosnian.
  7. News: Službeno: Toni Šunjić potpisao za njemački Stuttgart. sportsport.ba. 27 August 2015. 29 August 2015. Bosnian.
  8. News: Šunjić u debiju upisao prvijenac za Stuttgart. reprezentacija.ba. 12 September 2015. 12 September 2015. Bosnian.
  9. News: Toni Šunjić: Ne idem u Kairat, ostajem u Stuttgartu!. avaz.ba. 6 July 2016. 6 July 2016. Bosnian.
  10. News: Toni Šunjić potpisao ugovor s Palermom. radiosarajevo.ba. 20 January 2017. 22 January 2017. Bosnian.
  11. News: Zvanično: Toni Šunjić novi član moskovskog Dynama. klix.ba. 15 June 2017. 16 June 2017. Bosnian.
  12. News: Toni Šunjić debitovao za Dynamo u remiju protiv Spartaka. reprezentacija.ba. 18 July 2017. 21 July 2017. Bosnian.
  13. News: Šunjić strijelac u remiju Dynama. sportsport.ba. 3 November 2017. 4 November 2017. Bosnian.
  14. News: Toni Šunjić produžio ugovor s Dynamom iz Moskve!. sportsport.ba. 24 June 2019. 26 June 2019. Bosnian.
  15. News: Šunjić i zvanično u Henan Jianyeu. faktor.ba. 2 January 2021. 2 January 2021. Bosnian.
  16. News: HŠK Zrinjski na spektakularan način predstavio najveće pojačanje. scsport.ba. 6 January 2024. 6 January 2024. Bosnian.
  17. News: Predstavljamo Zmajeve: Toni Šunjić, dijete Zrinjskog i ponosni reprezentativac BiH. klix.ba. 31 May 2014. 1 June 2014. Bosnian.
  18. News: Sušić objavio spisak igrača za utakmicu protiv Velsa. klix.ba. 3 August 2012. 4 August 2018. Bosnian.
  19. News: Stevanović zablistao, crni niz prekinut. sportsport.ba. 15 August 2012. 18 August 2012. Bosnian.
  20. News: Sušić objavio konačan spisak za Brazil. aljazeera.net. 2 June 2014. 4 June 2014. Bosnian.
  21. News: Poraz od Nigerije za raniji povratak kući iz Brazila. sportsport.ba. 22 June 2014. 24 June 2014. Bosnian.
  22. News: Zmajevi nakon šokantnog preokreta poraženi na Kipru. klix.ba. 31 August 2017. 1 September 2017. Bosnian.
  23. News: Toni Šunjić: Mislim da sam završio sa reprezentacijom. reprezentacija.ba. 24 June 2021. 26 June 2021. Bosnian.
  24. News: Toni Šunjić postao otac, čestitali mu bivši i sadašnji reprezentativci. avaz.ba. 30 September 2021. 1 October 2021. Bosnian.
  25. Web site: T. Šunjić. soccerway.com. 16 August 2024.
  26. Web site: Toni Šunjić. eu-football.info. 4 September 2020.