Niko Kranjčar (born 13 August 1984) is a Croatian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur and the Croatia national team. His main traits are his vision, close control, range of passing, set piece prowess and his superb technique.
He previously represented two of the biggest clubs in his homeland, playing for Dinamo Zagreb before sparking controversy by making a move to their fierce rivals Hajduk Split in 2005. A transfer to England with Portsmouth soon followed in August 2006, and after several years of attempting to hold on to their key players, Portsmouth decided to sell him at the start of the 2009–10 season, opening the way for a move to Tottenham in September 2009, where he was reunited with his former manager at Portsmouth, Harry Redknapp. Hailed as the next Robert Prosinečki, Kranjčar was given his international debut by his father Zlatko in August 2004. As of November 2010, Kranjčar has won 61 caps for the Croatia national team.
Kranjčar was previously a part of the Croatian national Under-16, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 teams before advancing to the senior national team. His senior debut for Croatia came on 18 August 2004 in a friendly match against Israel. He was a regular for Croatia during their qualifying campaign for the 2006 World Cup, making nine appearances and scoring two goals, including a brilliant single effort against Bulgaria. Niko was then chosen for "Young guns firing for World Cup glory" on eurosport.com with some of the greatest talents in the world, such as Lionel Messi, Lukas Podolski and future Pompey team mate Sulley Muntari. He went on to play in all of Croatia's three group stage matches at the final tournament, proving to be a prestigious player for his impressive performances.
With the departure of his father as national team manager, Kranjčar became a regular for Croatia in their qualifying campaign for the Euro 2008, having appeared in all 12 matches, scoring two goals. The most famous of such was his long range opener for Croatia during their final match away to England. Croatia eventually won the game 3–2, resulting in England's failure to qualify for the final tournament. He then scored in a friendly match against Scotland with a spectacular effort just from inside the penalty area in a match played that ended 1–1, the equalising goal coming from Kenny Miller.
Personal information
Full name Niko Kranjčar
Date of birth 13 August 1984 (1984-08-13) (age 26)
Place of birth Zagreb, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Attacking Midfielder, Winger
Club information
Current club Tottenham Hotspur
Number 21
Youth career
SK Rapid Vienna
NK Dinamo Zagreb
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2001–2004 NK Dinamo Zagreb 84 (19)
2004–2006 HNK Hajduk Split 45 (12)
2006–2009 Portsmouth 83 (9)
2009– Tottenham Hotspur 30 (7)
National team‡
2000–2001 Croatia U16/17 17 (8)
2001–2002 Croatia U19 7 (2)
2002–2005 Croatia U21 15 (2)
2004– Croatia 61 (15)
He previously represented two of the biggest clubs in his homeland, playing for Dinamo Zagreb before sparking controversy by making a move to their fierce rivals Hajduk Split in 2005. A transfer to England with Portsmouth soon followed in August 2006, and after several years of attempting to hold on to their key players, Portsmouth decided to sell him at the start of the 2009–10 season, opening the way for a move to Tottenham in September 2009, where he was reunited with his former manager at Portsmouth, Harry Redknapp. Hailed as the next Robert Prosinečki, Kranjčar was given his international debut by his father Zlatko in August 2004. As of November 2010, Kranjčar has won 61 caps for the Croatia national team.
Kranjčar was previously a part of the Croatian national Under-16, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 teams before advancing to the senior national team. His senior debut for Croatia came on 18 August 2004 in a friendly match against Israel. He was a regular for Croatia during their qualifying campaign for the 2006 World Cup, making nine appearances and scoring two goals, including a brilliant single effort against Bulgaria. Niko was then chosen for "Young guns firing for World Cup glory" on eurosport.com with some of the greatest talents in the world, such as Lionel Messi, Lukas Podolski and future Pompey team mate Sulley Muntari. He went on to play in all of Croatia's three group stage matches at the final tournament, proving to be a prestigious player for his impressive performances.
With the departure of his father as national team manager, Kranjčar became a regular for Croatia in their qualifying campaign for the Euro 2008, having appeared in all 12 matches, scoring two goals. The most famous of such was his long range opener for Croatia during their final match away to England. Croatia eventually won the game 3–2, resulting in England's failure to qualify for the final tournament. He then scored in a friendly match against Scotland with a spectacular effort just from inside the penalty area in a match played that ended 1–1, the equalising goal coming from Kenny Miller.
Personal information
Full name Niko Kranjčar
Date of birth 13 August 1984 (1984-08-13) (age 26)
Place of birth Zagreb, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Attacking Midfielder, Winger
Club information
Current club Tottenham Hotspur
Number 21
Youth career
SK Rapid Vienna
NK Dinamo Zagreb
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2001–2004 NK Dinamo Zagreb 84 (19)
2004–2006 HNK Hajduk Split 45 (12)
2006–2009 Portsmouth 83 (9)
2009– Tottenham Hotspur 30 (7)
National team‡
2000–2001 Croatia U16/17 17 (8)
2001–2002 Croatia U19 7 (2)
2002–2005 Croatia U21 15 (2)
2004– Croatia 61 (15)
