Zvonimir Kožulj Explained

Zvonimir Kožulj
Fullname:Zvonimir Kožulj
Birth Date:15 November 1993
Birth Place:Ljubuški, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Height:1.80 m
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Široki Brijeg
Clubnumber:10
Youthyears1:2000–2011
Youthclubs1:Zrinjski Mostar
Youthyears2:2011–2013
Youthclubs2:Široki Brijeg
Years1:2013–2016
Clubs1:Široki Brijeg
Caps1:54
Goals1:11
Years2:2013
Clubs2:Vitez (loan)
Caps2:10
Goals2:1
Years3:2014
Clubs3:Branitelj (loan)
Caps3:12
Goals3:1
Years4:2016–2018
Clubs4:Hajduk Split
Caps4:49
Goals4:4
Years5:2018–2020
Clubs5:Pogoń Szczecin
Caps5:56
Goals5:12
Years6:2020–2021
Clubs6:Gaziantep
Caps6:18
Goals6:0
Years7:2021–2022
Clubs7:Eyüpspor
Caps7:6
Goals7:0
Years8:2022–2023
Clubs8:Bruk-Bet Termalica
Caps8:0
Goals8:0
Years9:2023
Clubs9:Sandecja Nowy Sącz
Caps9:0
Goals9:0
Years10:2023–2024
Clubs10:Zrinjski Mostar
Caps10:4
Goals10:0
Years11:2024
Clubs11:Universitatea Craiova
Caps11:2
Goals11:0
Years12:2024–
Clubs12:Široki Brijeg
Caps12:1
Goals12:0
Nationalyears1:2012
Nationalteam1:Bosnia and Herzegovina U19
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2014
Nationalteam2:Bosnia and Herzegovina U21
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2016
Nationalteam3:Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Club-Update:3 August 2024

Zvonimir Kožulj (pronounced as /hr/; born 15 November 1993) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bosnian Premier League club Široki Brijeg.

Kožulj started his professional career at Široki Brijeg, who loaned him to Vitez in 2013 and to Branitelj in 2014. In 2016, he joined Hajduk Split. Two years later, he was transferred to Pogoń Szczecin. After unsuccessful stints with Turkish sides Gaziantep and Eyüpspor, Kožulj signed with Bruk-Bet Termalica in 2022 but never made an appearance due to an injury picked up shortly after joining.

A former youth international for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kožulj made his senior international debut in 2016.

Club career

Early career

Kožulj came through Zrinjski Mostar's youth academy, which he left in 2011 to join Široki Brijeg.[1] He made his professional debut against Čelik Zenica on 30 March 2013 at the age of 19.[2]

In the summer of 2013, he was sent on a six-month loan to Vitez.[3] On 24 August 2013, he scored his first professional goal.[4] In January 2014, he was loaned to Branitelj until the end of season.[5]

Hajduk Split

On 14 June 2016, Kožulj was transferred to Croatian side Hajduk Split for an undisclosed fee.[6] He made his competitive debut for the club in UEFA Europa League qualifier against Politehnica Iași on 14 July.[7] Three days later, on his league debut, he scored a goal in an away win over Cibalia.[8]

Pogoń Szczecin

In June 2018, Kožulj signed a three-year contract with Polish team Pogoń Szczecin.[9] He made his official debut for the club on 20 July against Miedź Legnica.[10] On 19 October, Kožulj scored his first goal for Pogoń Szczecin in an away defeat to Jagiellonia.[11] He was released from his contract in April 2020.[12]

International career

Having been eligible to represent both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, Kožulj opted for the former, representing it on various youth levels.[13]

In May 2016, he received his first senior call-up, for friendly game against Spain and 2016 Kirin Cup.[14] Kožulj debuted against Japan on 7 June.[15]

Career statistics

Club

[16]

ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Široki Brijeg2012–13Bosnian Premier League60200080
2014–152657120356
2015–1622631257
Total5411122206813
Vitez (loan)2013–14Bosnian Premier League10120121
Branitelj (loan)2013–14First League of FBiH121121
Hajduk Split2016–171. HNL2643060354
2017–182302050300
Total49450110654
Pogoń Szczecin2018–19Ekstraklasa34910359
2019–2022310233
Total5612205812
Gaziantep2020–21Süper Lig18021201
Eyüpspor2021–22TFF First League601070
Zrinjski Mostar2023–24Bosnian Premier League400062102
Universitatea Craiova2023–24Liga I201030
Široki Brijeg2024–25Bosnian Premier League100010
Career total2122925319225634

International

[17]

National teamYearAppsGoals
Bosnia and Herzegovina
201610
Total10

Honours

Široki Brijeg

2012–13[16]

Hajduk Split

Individual

Notes and References

  1. News: Zvonimir Kožulj: Nadam se pozivu Prosinečkog za buduća okupljanja. sportsport.ba. 16 November 2018. 17 November 2018. bs.
  2. News: Dedić donio pobjedu Čeliku u Širokom Brijegu. sportsport.ba. 30 March 2013. 2 April 2013. bs.
  3. News: Zvonimir Kožulj i Slavko Brekalo posuđeni Vitezu. sportsport.ba. 19 June 2013. 20 June 2013. bs.
  4. News: Kožulj donio bod Vitezu protiv Zrinjskog. sportsport.ba. 24 August 2013. 26 August 2013. bs.
  5. News: Zvonimir Kožulj iz Viteza prešao u Branitelj. sportsport.ba. 14 January 2014. 16 January 2014. bs.
  6. News: Zvonimir Kožulj potpisao za Hajduk. klix.ba. 14 June 2016. 16 June 2016. bs.
  7. News: Hajduku remi u Rumuniji, Vojvodini domaća pobjeda. sportsport.ba. 14 July 2016. 15 July 2016. bs.
  8. News: Zvonimir Kožulj postigao veoma lijep gol iz slobodnjaka u pobjedi Hajduka. scsport.ba. 17 July 2016. 19 July 2016. bs.
  9. News: Zvonimir Kožulj novi igrač poljskog Pogońa. fokus.ba. 21 June 2018. 22 June 2018. bs.
  10. News: Zvonimir Kožulj debitovao za Pogoń. sportsport.ba. 20 July 2018. 21 July 2018. bs.
  11. News: Kožulj pogodio u porazu Pogońa. sportsport.ba. 19 October 2018. 22 October 2018. bs.
  12. News: Zvonimir Kožulj više nije igrač Pogona iz Szczecina. jutarnjilist. 4 April 2020. 4 April 2020. hr.
  13. News: Zvonimir Kožulj: Selektor Baždarević me ugodno iznenadio. reprezentacija.ba. 19 May 2016. 21 May 2016. bs.
  14. News: Baždarević objavio spisak Zmajeva za Španiju i Kirin kup: Bez Ibiševića, Lulića i Bičakčića. klix.ba. 20 May 2016. 23 May 2016. bs.
  15. News: BiH sa četiri debitanta pobijedila Japan. reprezentacija.ba. 7 June 2016. 10 June 2016. bs.
  16. Web site: Z. Kožulj. soccerway.com. 3 August 2024.
  17. Web site: Zvonimir Kožulj. eu-football.info. 7 June 2016.
  18. Web site: Zvonimir Kozulj piłkarzem lipca PKO Ekstraklasy! . . 8 May 2024 . pl . 8 August 2018.
  19. Web site: Piłkarz Lipca 2019: Zvonimir Kozulj . . 8 August 2019 . 23 July 2020 . pl . 11 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200911151644/https://ekstraklasa.org/aktualnosci/pilkarz-lipca-2019-zvonimir-kozulj-13998 . dead .