Mario Vrančić (Bosnian pronunciation: [mâːrio ʋrâːntʃitɕ]; born 23 May 1989) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for German Regionalliga club Eintracht Frankfurt II.

Mario Vrančić
Vrančić with Norwich City in 2017
Personal information
Full name Mario Vrančić[1]
Date of birth (1989-05-23) 23 May 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Slavonski Brod, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Eintracht Frankfurt II
Number 8
Youth career
1996–2004 VfR Kesselstadt
2004–2006 Mainz 05
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2011 Mainz 05 II 45 (16)
2007–2011 Mainz 05 9 (0)
2009–2010Rot Weiss Ahlen (loan) 12 (0)
2011–2012 Borussia Dortmund II 47 (16)
2012–2015 SC Paderborn 93 (12)
2015–2017 Darmstadt 98 45 (6)
2017–2021 Norwich City 123 (15)
2021–2022 Stoke City 30 (3)
2022Rijeka (loan) 13 (1)
2023 Rijeka 0 (0)
2023Sarajevo (loan) 14 (1)
2023 Sarajevo 8 (0)
2024– Eintracht Frankfurt II 5 (0)
International career
2006 Germany U17 5 (0)
2007–2008 Germany U19 12 (1)
2008–2009 Germany U20 11 (3)
2015–2017 Bosnia and Herzegovina 6 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 October 2024

Vrančić started his professional career at Mainz 05, playing mainly in its reserve team. In 2009, he was sent on loan to Rot Weiss Ahlen. Two years later, he joined Borussia Dortmund II. The following year, he moved to SC Paderborn. Vrančić switched to Darmstadt 98 in 2015. In 2017, he was transferred to Norwich City. Four years later, Vrančić signed with Stoke City, who loaned him to Rijeka in 2022. In 2023, he signed with Rijeka, who then loaned him to Sarajevo.

A former German youth international, Vrančić made his senior international debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015, earning 6 caps until 2017.

Club career

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Early career

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Vrančić started playing football at a local club, before joining youth academy of Mainz 05 in 2004. He made his professional debut with Mainz 05 II in 2006 at the age of 17.[3] In June 2009, he was sent on a season-long loan to Rot Weiss Ahlen.[4]

In January 2011, he moved to Borussia Dortmund II.[5]

SC Paderborn

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In May 2012, Vrančić signed a two-year deal with SC Paderborn.[6] He made his official debut for the team on 3 August against Hertha BSC.[7] On 11 August, he scored a brace in a triumph over VfL Bochum, which were his first goals for the side.[8]

Vrančić was instrumental in SC Paderborn's first ever promotion to Bundesliga, which was sealed on 11 May 2014. He scored 5 goals and added 9 assists.[9] The following day, he signed a new two-year contract with the team.[10]

Darmstadt 98

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In June 2015, Vrančić was transferred to Darmstadt 98 for an undisclosed fee.[11] He made his competitive debut for the club in DFB-Pokal game against TuS Erndtebrück on 7 August.[12] Two weeks later, he made his league debut against Schalke 04.[13] On 12 March 2016, he scored his first goal for Darmstadt 98 against FC Augsburg.[14]

Norwich City

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In June 2017, Vrančić joined English outfit Norwich City on a three-year deal.[15] He debuted officially for the team on 5 August against Fulham.[16] On 19 September, he scored a brace in EFL Cup game against Brentford, his first goals for the side.[17] Six months later, he scored his first league goal in a defeat of Reading.[18]

Vrančić was an important piece in Norwich City's conquest of Championship title, his first trophy with the club, which was secured on 5 May 2019 and earned them promotion to Premier League. He had an impact of 10 goals and 7 assists.[19] In July, he extended his contract until June 2021.[20]

Vrančić scored his first Premier League goal against Tottenham Hotspur on 28 December.[21] He played his 100th game for the side in a loss to Manchester City on 26 July 2020.[22]

Stoke City

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In July 2021, Vrančić moved to Stoke City on a one-year deal.[23] He made his debut on 7 August 2021 in a 3–2 victory against Reading.[24] On 25 September 2021, he scored his first goal for Stoke against Hull City.[25] He scored in victories over Peterborough United and Queens Park Rangers.[26][27] In May 2022, he signed a one-year contract extension.[28] Vrančić made 35 appearances for Stoke in 2021–22 as the team finished in 14th position.[29]

Rijeka

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On 18 June 2022, Vrančić signed for Croatian side Rijeka on loan for the 2022–23 season.[30][31] He permanently signed for Rijeka in February 2023, being afterwards loaned to Bosnian Premier League side Sarajevo.[32]

Eintracht Frankfurt II

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On 11 June 2024, Vrančić signed with Regionalliga Südwest club Eintracht Frankfurt II.[33]

International career

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Despite representing Germany at various youth levels, with whom he won the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship, Vrančić decided to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina at senior level.[34]

In June 2015, his request to change sports citizenship from German to Bosnian was approved by FIFA.[35] Subsequently, he received his first senior call-up in August 2015, for UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers against Belgium and Andorra.[36] He debuted against the latter on 6 September.[37]

Personal life

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Vrančić's older brother Damir is also a professional footballer.[38]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 18 December 2023[39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Mainz 05 II 2006–07 Oberliga Südwest 1 0 1 0
2007–08 Oberliga Südwest 13 9 13 9
2008–09 Regionalliga West 19 7 19 7
2010–11 Regionalliga West 12 0 12 0
Total 45 16 45 16
Mainz 05 2006–07 Bundesliga 1 0 0 0 1 0
2007–08 2. Bundesliga 5 0 1 0 6 0
2008–09 2. Bundesliga 3 0 0 0 3 0
Total 9 0 1 0 10 0
Rot Weiss Ahlen (loan) 2009–10 2. Bundesliga 12 0 0 0 12 0
Borussia Dortmund II 2010–11 Regionalliga West 15 2 15 2
2011–12 Regionalliga West 32 14 32 14
Total 47 16 47 16
SC Paderborn 2012–13 2. Bundesliga 33 5 1 0 34 5
2013–14 2. Bundesliga 30 5 1 0 31 5
2014–15 Bundesliga 30 2 1 0 31 2
Total 93 12 3 0 96 12
Darmstadt 98 2015–16 Bundesliga 22 2 3 0 25 2
2016–17 Bundesliga 23 4 2 0 25 4
Total 45 6 5 0 50 6
Norwich City 2017–18 Championship 35 1 1 0 3 2 39 3
2018–19 Championship 36 10 0 0 2 0 38 10
2019–20 Premier League 20 1 2 0 1 0 23 1
2020–21 Championship 32 3 1 0 1 0 34 3
Total 123 15 4 0 7 2 134 17
Stoke City 2021–22 Championship 30 3 2 0 3 0 35 3
2022–23 Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 30 3 2 0 3 0 35 3
Rijeka (loan) 2022–23 Prva HNL 13 1 1 0 1[c] 0 15 1
Sarajevo (loan) 2022–23 Bosnian Premier League 14 1 14 1
Sarajevo 2023–24 Bosnian Premier League 8 0 0 0 2[c] 0 10 0
Total 22 1 0 0 2 0 24 1
Career total 427 70 16 0 10 2 3 0 456 72

International

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As of match played 28 March 2017[40]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Bosnia and Herzegovina
2015 1 0
2016 3 0
2017 2 0
Total 6 0

Honours

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Norwich City[39]

Germany U19[39]

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009™: List of Players: Germany" (PDF). FIFA. 6 October 2009. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2009.
  2. ^ "Mario Vrančić". stokecity.com. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Wird Vrancic Darmstads erster Neuzugang?". bild.de (in German). 23 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  4. ^ "Mainz leiht Mario Vrancic an Ahlen aus". bild.de (in German). 26 June 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2009.
  5. ^ "BVB II holt mit Mario Vrancic Verstärkung aus Mainz". bild.de (in German). 30 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  6. ^ "Vrancic wechselt an die Pader". kicker.de (in German). 2 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  7. ^ "Allagui beendet ein verrücktes Fußballspiel". kicker.de (in German). 3 August 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  8. ^ "Vrancic beeindruckt mit cleverem Torabschluss". kicker.de (in German). 11 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  9. ^ "Nakon Damira i Mario svojim golom klub uveo u Bundesligu". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 11 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  10. ^ "Novi ugovor kao nagrada: Vrančić u Paderbornu do 2016. godine". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 12 May 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  11. ^ "Mario Vrančić iz Paderborna prešao u Darmstadt". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 24 June 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  12. ^ "Darmstadt eliminisao niželigaša, Vrančić igrao 60 minuta". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 7 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  13. ^ "Bayern se provukao, Schalkeu i Wolfsburgu po bod". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 22 August 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  14. ^ "Mönchengladbach rutinski slavio, Vrančić zabio za Darmstadt". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 12 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  15. ^ "Zvanično: Mario Vrančić novi član Norwich Citya". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 8 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  16. ^ "Mario Vrančić debitovao za Norwich". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 5 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  17. ^ "Vrančić dvostruki strijelac u pobjedi Norwicha". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 19 September 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  18. ^ "Pogoci Đurića i Vrančića u Engleskoj". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 17 March 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  19. ^ "Fantastični Mario Vrančić sezonu završio desetim pogotkom". radiosarajevo.ba (in Bosnian). 5 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  20. ^ "Ostaje u Norwichu: Mario Vrančić produžio ugovor s engleskim klubom". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 11 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  21. ^ "Vrančić strijelac u remiju Norwicha i Tottenhama, Leicester bez Vardya do pobjede u Londonu". scsport.ba (in Bosnian). 28 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  22. ^ "Mario Vrančić odigrao 100. meč u Engleskoj". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 27 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  23. ^ "Mario Vrancic: Stoke City sign former Norwich City midfielder". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  24. ^ "Stoke City 3–2 Reading". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  25. ^ "Stoke City 2–0 Hull City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  26. ^ "Stoke City 2–0 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  27. ^ "Queens Park Rangers 0–2 Stoke City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  28. ^ "Stoke City: Nick Powell and Mario Vrancic agree extended deals with Championship club". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  29. ^ "Games played by Mario Vrancic in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  30. ^ "Stoke City confirm midfielder exit". Stoke Sentinel. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  31. ^ "Mario Vrancic: Stoke midfielder joins Croatian club Rijeka on loan for season". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  32. ^ "Stoke City complete loan switch for out-of-sight playmaker". Stoke Sentinel. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  33. ^ "Neuzugang Mario Vrančić" [New signing Mario Vrančić] (in German). Eintracht Frankfurt. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  34. ^ "Želi igrati za Zmajeve! Mario Vrančić pokrenuo proceduru za dobijanje pasoša BiH". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 31 July 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  35. ^ "Mario Vrančić može igrati za BiH!". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 5 June 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  36. ^ "Baždarević objavio spisak reprezentativaca za utakmice protiv Belgije i Andore". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 24 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  37. ^ "Zmajevi za poluvrijeme savladali Andoru sa 3:0". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 6 September 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  38. ^ "Mario Vrančić u posjeti NS BiH: Bit ću neizmjerno sretan ako zaigram za Zmajeve". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 8 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  39. ^ a b c Mario Vrančić at Soccerway
  40. ^ "Mario Vrančić". eu-football.info. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
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