Oliver Bozanic

Oliver John Bozanic (born 8 January 1989) is an Australian football player who plays as a midfielder for Perth Glory, on loan from Western Sydney Wanderers.

Oliver Bozanic
Bozanic playing for Melbourne Victory in the FFA Cup, September 2015
Personal information
Full name Oliver John Bozanic[1]
Date of birth (1989-01-08) 8 January 1989
Place of birth Sydney, Australia
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Perth Glory
Number 24
Youth career
Avoca FC
Parramatta Eagles
2004–2005 Blacktown City Demons
2005–2006 NSWIS
2006–2007 Central Coast Mariners
2007 Reading
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006 Central Coast Mariners 0 (0)
2007–2010 Reading 0 (0)
2009 → Woking (loan) 18 (2)
2009 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 4 (0)
2009–2010 → Aldershot Town (loan) 25 (2)
2010–2013 Central Coast Mariners 70 (3)
2013–2015 Luzern 51 (6)
2015–2017 Melbourne Victory 48 (5)
2017 Ventforet Kofu 10 (0)
2018 Melbourne City 9 (0)
2018–2020 Heart of Midlothian 43 (6)
2020–2022 Central Coast Mariners 39 (7)
2022– Western Sydney Wanderers 16 (3)
2023– → Perth Glory (loan) 0 (0)
International career‡
2006–2009 Australia U-20 17 (2)
2010–2012 Australia U-23 13 (0)
2013–2015 Australia 7 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:58, 6 May 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 April 2015

Bozanic was born in Sydney but started his professional career in England before returning to play for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League. He joined Swiss club Luzern in 2013. After spells with Melbourne Victory, Ventforet Kofu, Melbourne City and Heart of Midlothian, Bozanic returned to the Mariners in 2020.

Described as "versatile and energetic", Bozanic is able to play as an attacking midfielder or in a deeper central role.[3] Bozanic has made seven appearances for the Australia national team, including two at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Early life

Bozanic was born in Sydney, New South Wales. He is the son of former Socceroo Vic Bozanic who was part of the West Adelaide team which won the 1978 National Soccer League.[4] His early years were spent on the Central Coast of NSW where he played with the small Avoca club, He played football for Sydney Olympic FC at the age of 12.

Club career

Central Coast Mariners

Bozanic started his professional career with Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners, where he was one of the locals drafted into the Mariners squad by team manager Lawrie McKinna, during the 2006–07 Pre-Season Cup as cover for a host of long-term injuries.

Reading
Bozanic playing for Woking in 2009

Bozanic joined Reading on a two and a half-year contract on 29 January 2007.[4] Bozanic played for both the under 18s and reserves at Reading during his first 18 months at the club, and was a crucial part of the side that won the Reserve League title in the 2006–07 season. On 23 January 2009, he signed for Woking on loan for one month.[5] His loan spell with Woking was extended until the end of the season.[6] At the end of the season, Bozanic signed a one-year contract with the club.[7]

During pre-season of 2009–10, Bozanić joined Cheltenham Town on loan[8] and made his first team debut in Cheltenham's 2–1 home win against Grimsby Town on 8 August 2009.[9] But in late-August, Bozanic soon sustained a knee injury[10] and after three months out with an injury, Bozanic's loan spell with Cheltenham Town had come to an end.[11] Shortly after, on 26 November 2009, Bozanic joined former Reading assistant manager Kevin Dillon at League Two team Aldershot Town on a one-month loan deal.[12] On 5 January 2010, it was announced that Bozanic would spend another month at Aldershot Town, after having his loan spell extended.[13] In April 2010, Bozanic was recalled by the club, having his loan spell at Aldershot Town cut.[14]

Central Coast Mariners (second spell)

After being released by Reading at the end of the 2009–10 season,[15] Bozanic returned to Australia to rejoin Central Coast Mariners.[16] Bozanic made his debut for the club, in the opening game of the season, in a 1–0 win over debut club Melbourne Heart. Following his debut, Bozanic quickly earned himself in the first team and made an impressive display for the club.[17] The club qualified for the A-League Finals Series, where he scored his first goal, in a 2–2 draw against Brisbane Roar. Then, in the Grand Final against the Brisbane Roar again, Bozanic scored in extra-time, at the 103rd minute, which seemed to be a winning goal until the opposition team scored in the last minutes, leading to go on penalty shoot-out, when the club lost 4–2.[18]

In the 2011–12 season, Bozanic featured only twenty times, due to international commitments for the national team.[19] On his twenty-third birthday, on 8 January 2012, Bozanic scored a winning goal, in a 1–0 win over Sydney.[20] Throughout February, Bozanic was not featured at the club, due to international commitments for the national team at the qualifying campaign for London 2012, where he was captain, but it was successful.[21] On 26 February 2012, Bozanic, along with goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, returned to the first team at the club.[22] At the conclusion to the season, Bozanic helped the club to win the A-League 2011–12 season.

At the start of the 2012–13 season, Bozanic had not featured for six matches, due to an knee injury.[23] Bozanic then made his return on 25 November 2012, in a 2–1 victory against Brisbane Roar.[24] In mid-December, Bozanic suffered a head injury following a sickening head clash during a match against Newcastle Jets, which he resulted a concussion at the hospital. Bozanic was ruled out for a week.[25] After three and half week out, Bozanic made his return, where he set up the only goal for Bernie Ibini-Isei, in a 1–0 win against Perth Glory.[26] On 28 March 2013, Bozanic signed a one-year contract extension with the club.[27] At the conclusion to the season, Bozanic helped the club to win the A-League 2012–13 season, their second time in the row, and was featured in the A-League Grand Final, playing in defensive midfield with John Hutchinson, where they won 2–0 against Western Sydney Wanderers.

In June 2013, Bozanic was among three players to be linked with Asian clubs, having been attracted by South Korean sides Busan IPark and Pohang Steelers.[28]

Luzern

On 14 June 2013, Bozanic signed a two-year deal to join Swiss Super League side Luzern.[29] Thirty days later, Bozanic made his debut, in the opening game of the season, in a 2–0 win over Lausanne and scored his first goals in the next match, in a 4–2 loss against Aarau.[30] Then, in the next match, Bozanic scored another brace in a 3–2 win over Zürich.[31] Bozanic scored a winning a goal in the next match in a 1–0 win over Sion on 5 August 2013, thereby scoring five goals in three consecutive games.[32]

Melbourne Victory

On 3 September 2015, Melbourne Victory announced the signing of Bozanic to a three-year marquee contract.[33] He made his competitive debut 19 days later in a 3–1 win against Adelaide United in the 2015 FFA Cup Quarter Final, where he was involved in setting up his team's second goal.[34]

Ventforet Kofu

On 16 March 2017, Melbourne Victory announced that Bozanic would be moving to Ventforet Kofu on a three-year deal.[35] Bozanic still had one year left on his three-year marquee contract. On 4 December 2017, he was released from his contract with Ventforet.[36]

Melbourne City

On 10 February 2018, Bozanic joined Melbourne City for the remainder of the season.[37] He represented the club 9 times.

Hearts

Bozanic signed for Edinburgh club Hearts, of the Scottish Premiership, in June 2018.[38] Bozanic spent two seasons at Hearts, where he made 43 appearances and scored 6 goals.

Central Coast Mariners (third spell)

Bozanic returned to the Mariners on 21 October 2020.[39] Bozanic was named captain of the Mariners upon his return for his first season back.[40] On 18 December 2021, Bozanic played his 100th A-League Men game for the Mariners, scoring a late free kick in a 2–0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.[41]

Bozanic's third stint at the Central Coast Mariners lasted two seasons, both as captain. However, midway through the second season, he was frozen out by coach Nick Montgomery and did not feature in the last 12 games of the season for the Mariners.[42] He was released by the club at the end of the season.[43]

Western Sydney Wanderers

After leaving the Mariners, Bozanic signed for their New South Wales rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.[44] Bozanic made his debut for the Wanderers on 10 December 2022 against Wellington Phoenix, and scored his first goal for the club against Brisbane Roar in his third appearance.[45]

Perth Glory

On 13 September 2023, Perth Glory announced the signing of Bozanic on loan until January 2024.[46]

International career

Bozanic was a member of the Australian 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup development squad, which competed in and won a four-team tournament in Japan against the under-20 teams of Hungary and Japan in 2006. He was a member of all the lead-up squads prior for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, but missed out on his place at the tournament due to injury.

He received his first full international call up in August 2009 for a friendly international against the Republic of Ireland.[47] Bozanic was again included in a 50-man preliminary squad for the 2011 Asian Cup.[48]

Bozanic was captain of the Olyroos in their unsuccessful qualifying campaign for London 2012.[49]

In October 2013, Bozanic made his debut for the Socceroos, coming off the bench in a win over Canada.[50]

Bozanic was selected in the Australian squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and played in Group Stage matches against Netherlands and Spain.[51]

Personal life

Bozanic and his wife have three daughters. Bozanic is the older brother of Spirit FC midfielder Louis Bozanic.

Career statistics
As of 7 May 2023
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Central Coast Mariners2006–07A-League00200020
Reading2007–08Premier League00000000
Woking (loan)2008–09Conference National1820000182
Cheltenham Town (loan)2009–10Football League Two40000040
Aldershot Town (loan)2009–102522100273
Central Coast Mariners2010–11A-League3320000332
2011–122310050281
2012–131500070220
Total71300120853
FC Luzern2013–14Swiss Super League2854200327
2014–152311020191
Total5165220518
Melbourne Victory2015–16A-League 2743180385
2016–17 2114100252
Total4857280637
Ventforet Kofu2017J1 League 1004100141
Melbourne City2017–18A-League 90000090
Heart of Midlothian2018–19Scottish Premiership 2539000343
2019–20 1838100264
Total43617100607
Central Coast Mariners 2020–21 A-League 2430000243
2021–22 1544100195
Total3974100314
Western Sydney Wanderers 2022–23 A-League Men 1630000163
Career total3343441822037542

Honours

Club

Central Coast Mariners

Melbourne Victory

International

Australia national football team

Individual

References
  1. "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players: Australia" (PDF). FIFA. 14 July 2014. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2020.
  2. "Oliver Bozanic". Melbourne Victory FC. Archived from the original on 25 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  3. "Bozanic leaves Luzern". Socceroos.com.au. Football Federation Australia. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  4. Reading signs Aussie teen
  5. "Woking bring in Bozanic on loan". BBC Sport. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  6. "Cards bag veteran midfielder Hyde". BBC Sport. 27 February 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  7. "Reading starlet ready to shine". Sky Sports. 7 July 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  8. Bozanic secures Cheltenham move
  9. Cheltenham 2 – 1 Grimsby
  10. "Cheltenham move to ease injuries". BBC Sport. 27 August 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  11. "Robins end Bozanic loan". Sky Sports. 19 November 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  12. "Boss Confirms Second Loan Signing". Aldershot Town Official Website. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  13. "Bozanic Loan Extended". Aldershot Town Official Website. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  14. "Reading's Oliver Bozanic ends Aldershot Town loan spell". BBC Sport. 26 April 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  15. "Thorvaldsson and Bozanic released". Reading Post. 18 May 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  16. Fordham, Jonny (10 May 2010). "Oliver Bozanic leaves Reading FC for return to Oz". Reading Post. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
  17. "Bozanic Impresses on Oz Return". Australian FourFour Two. 20 August 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  18. "Unbeatable Roar pull off grand final miracle". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 13 March 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
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  20. "Birthday Boy Bozanic The Hero". Australian FourFour Two. 8 January 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  21. "LONDON OLYMPIC HOPES SLIPPING AWAY". London 2012 Olympics Official Website. 6 February 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
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  23. "Kwasnik & Bozanic in Mix For Mariners". Australian FourFour Two. 28 October 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  24. "Brisbane downed by Mariners". FourFour Australia. 25 November 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  25. "Mariners gunning for more". Football Australia. 14 December 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
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  33. Victory is a perfect fit for Oliver Bozanic Archived 25 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine Melbourne Victory official website, 3 September 2015
  34. FFA Cup: Victory roll Reds to storm into semi-finals Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine au.fourfourtwo.com, 22 September 2015
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  40. "MARINERS NAME NEW CAPTAIN FOR F3 DERBY". 30 December 2020.
  41. Hope, Shayne (18 December 2021). "Mariners pile more ALM misery on Wanderers". 7NEWS. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
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  47. Pim names youngsters to face Ireland
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