Marko Babić (footballer)

Marko Babić

Personal information
Date of birth	28 January 1981 (1981-01-28) (age 30)
Place of birth	Osijek, SFR Yugoslavia
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Osijek
Number	8
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1997–1999	Osijek	16	(0)
2000–2007	Bayer 04 Leverkusen	144	(13)
2007–2009	Betis	12	(0)
2009	Hertha BSC	8	(0)
2009–2010	Zaragoza	14	(0)
2011–	Osijek	18	(3)
National team‡
1997	Croatia U15	1	(0)
1996–1999	Croatia U17	12	(2)
1999–2000	Croatia U18	3	(0)
1999–2000	Croatia U19	8	(4)
2000–2001	Croatia U20	3	(0)
2002–2004	Croatia U21	9	(3)
2002–	Croatia	49	(3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21 May 2011. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21 May 2011

Marko Babić (born 28 January 1981 in Osijek) is a Croatian international footballer, currently playing for NK Osijek in the Prva HNL.

Career

Club career

Babić made his debut with NK Osijek where he spent three seasons. In 2000, the young midfielder completed his move to Bayer Leverkusen where he joined the German outfit's Croatian contingent. He played for the club during their loss to Real Madrid in the 2002 Champions League final.

He was offered a new contract in 2003.^[1]

Real Betis presented the player to the press and fans on 17 July 2007. Early reports suggested he had signed on a free transfer as his contract had ended.^[2] On 23 July 2007 Babić made his Betis debut in a friendly game against CD San Fernando. His competitive debut came in the La Liga season against Recreativo de Huelva on 26 August 2007.

In January 2009, Babić left Spain to play for Hertha BSC on free transfer and gave up the non-EU quota to Ricardo Oliveira.^[3] He left Hertha six months later. On 8 August 2009 he signed a two-year contract with Real Zaragoza.^[4] On 6 September 2010 his contract was terminated.^[5] On 2 March 2011, Babić signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with NK Osijek.^[6]

International career

Babić made his Croatian national team debut in May 2002 against Hungary. Babić was part of the Croatian roster at Euro 2004, but did not play in any games. He played all three games at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, stationed as a left wing-back in a 3-5-2 formation. He was a surprise omission from Slaven Bilić's Euro 2008 squad.

International goals

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	4 June 2005	Vasil Levski, Sofia	Bulgaria	1 – 0	3 – 1	World Cup 2006 Qualifying
2	23 May 2006	Ernst Happel, Vienna	Austria	3 – 1	4 – 1	Friendly
3	28 May 2006	Gradski vrt, Osijek	Iran	2 – 2	2 – 2	Friendly

References

1. ^ "Babic lengthens Leverkusen stay". UEFA.com. 24 November 2003. http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=128523.html. Retrieved 21 February 2009. 
2. ^ "Babić to bid Levekusen adieu". UEFA.com. 2 May 2007. http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=534227.html. Retrieved 21 February 2009. 
3. ^ "Hertha sign Marko Babic". Hertha BSC. 28 January 2009. http://www.herthabsc.de/index.php?id=15702&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=4547&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=15546&cHash=26225687ac. Retrieved 21 February 2009. ^{[dead link]}
4. ^ "Babic, sexto fichaje de la temporada" (in Spanish). realzaragoza.com. 8 August 2009. http://www.realzaragoza.com/noticias/3924. Retrieved 21 March 2010. 
5. ^ "Babic y Songo'o se desvinculan del Real Zaragoza" (in Spanish). 6 September 2010. http://www.realzaragoza.com/noticias/12234. Retrieved 29 October 2010. 
6. ^ Plavčić, Mario (2 March 2011). "Babić: Pomoći ću mladima" (in Croatian). Sportnet.hr. http://www.hrsport.net/vijesti/413504/nogomet-1-hnl/babic-pomoci-cu-mladima. Retrieved 2 March 2011. 

External links

• Marko Babić at nogometni-magazin (Croatian)
• Marko Babić – FIFA competition record
• Marko Babić at National-Football-Teams.com
• Marko Babić international stats at the Croatian Football Federation website

Persondata
Name	Babic, Marko
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	28 January 1981
Place of birth	Osijek, SFR Yugoslavia
Date of death
Place of death