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Branislav Ivanović

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Branislav Ivanović
Ivanović with Chelsea.
Personal information
Full name Branislav Ivanović
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Chelsea
Number 2
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of September 10, 2008

Branislav Ivanović (Serbian Cyrillic: Бранислав Ивановић - Бане, born February 22, 1984 in Sremska Mitrovica) is a Serbian footballer, currently playing for Chelsea in the Premier League. He is a versatile defensive player, able to play across the defence and in central defensive midfield role.

Club career

Early years and Lokomotiv

File:Branislav Ivanovic.png
Ivanovic playing for Loko

Ivanović began his career in his home town in FK Srem, before transferring to OFK Beograd in December 2003 during 2003/04 season winter break.

After three years of playing in the Serbian Superliga, the first division of football in Serbia and previously Montenegro, he was signed by FC Lokomotiv Moscow in January 2006. Coached by compatriot Slavoljub Muslin, 22-year-old Ivanović made immediate impact appearing in 28 league matches, scoring 2 goals with 5 yellow card cautions. He was substituted only twice during the entire league season and contributed greatly to Loko's legitimate title challenge that ultimately ran out of steam near the end of the season. He became a member of the national Serbian team during his Russian career.

In the following season, an established squad member, Ivanovic led Loko's defence with 26 league appearances and 3 goals. The main trophy that he won in "Loko" was the Russian Cup in 2007.

Chelsea

On January 15 2008, Chelsea confirmed that the club had agreed terms with Lokomotiv for Ivanović's £9 million transfer[2] subject to the agreement of personal terms and the passing of a medical[3], having beaten competition from the likes of AC Milan, AFC Ajax, Juventus and Internazionale for his signature. Lokomotiv Moscow announced the transfer fee of Ivanović was €13 million (£9.7 million). According to the club, the transfer was the largest in Russian football history.[4] Ivanović signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Chelsea the following day. He was given the number 2 shirt.[5]

Despite the substantial price tag, Ivanović did not make a first team appearance for Chelsea during the 2007-08 season under manager Avram Grant. The reason given by the club was a lack of match fitness as a result of the Russian league season's conclusion several months before his signing. However, he did play numerous times for the Chelsea reserve side.

All throughout the summer 2008 off-season, Ivanović was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, most notably to AC Milan and Juventus. However, he got the vote of confidence from new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari who said Ivanovic featured in his plans for the new season.

More than eight months after becoming a Chelsea player, Ivanović started his first senior game for the club against Portsmouth in the Carling Cup on September 24, 2008. He later went on to make his Premier League debut against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on October 5, which Chelsea won 2-0. He has played a total of 9 games so far in the 2008-09 season.

In late January 2009, during 2008/09 winter transfer window, Ivanovic became a transfer target for another Serie A club, ACF Fiorentina. On January 27, his manager Vlado Borozoan confirmed ongoing negotiations with the club[6], however on February 1 Italian manager Ernesto Broseti said that Chelsea appears unwilling to sell Ivanović and that he will likely remain in London[7], which is what happened in the end.

English League Cup English Premiership Champions League
2 STARTS 0 GOALS 5 STARTS 0 GOALS 1 STARTS 0 GOALS
0 YC,0 RC 2 YC,0 RC 0 YC,0 RC

International career

Under-21

He took part in the 2006 U-21 Championships in Portugal, where he made four appearances and scored one goal for Serbia and Montenegro. Ivanović was given the captains armband during this time and continues to captain the side. He is considered by many as one of Serbia's best young players. He was named in the 'UEFA Team of the tournament' for the 2007 U-21 Championships held in the Netherlands, where they came second.

Senior

Branislav Ivanović received his first cap on June 8, 2005 in Toronto, Canada, when Serbia and Montenegro played a friendly against Italy. The game finished 1-1 and he came on as a 77th minute sub for his then club teammate Marko Baša.[8] Ivanovic scored his first international goal on September 12, 2007 against Portugal in Lisbon. The goal was of importance because Serbia were losing 1-0 up until the 88th minute when Ivanović scored from a Stanković freekick sealing a 1-1 draw. This game was played for Euro 2008 qualifying.[9]

Playing honours

FC Lokomotiv Moscow

References

  1. ^ "Chelsea FC profile". Chelsea FC. 2008-07-16. Retrieved 2008-07-16.
  2. ^ Chelsea complete Ivanovic signing
  3. ^ "Ivanović statement". chelseafc.com. 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2008-01-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "оформил крупнейший трансфер в истории российского футбола" (in Russian). fclm.ru. 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2008-01-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Ivanović signs". chelseafc.com. 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2008-01-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Ivanović na korak od Fiorentine" (in Serbian). b92.net. 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2009-01-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Menadžer: Čelsi ne pušta Ivanovića" (in Serbian). b92.net. 2008-02-01. Retrieved 2009-02-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Branislav Ivanović profile" (in Serbian). Football Association of Serbia. 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2008-01-16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  9. ^ "Ivanović strike denies Portugal points". www.uefa.com. 2007-09-12. Retrieved 2008-01-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
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