Branislav Ivanović

Infobox Football biography
playername = Branislav Ivanović


fullname = Branislav Ivanović
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1984|2|22|df=y
cityofbirth = Sremska Mitrovica
countryofbirth = Yugoslavia
height = height|ft=6|in=2
nickname = "Bane"
position = Defender
currentclub = Chelsea
clubnumber = 2
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 2002–2003 2003–2006 2006–2008 2008–
clubs = Srem Sremska Mitrovica OFK Beograd Lokomotiv Moscow Chelsea
caps(goals) = 190(2) 550(5) 540(5) 010(0)
nationalyears = 2004–2007
2005–
nationalteam = Serbia U21
Serbia
nationalcaps(goals) = 330(4)
150(3)
pcupdate = February 20, 2008
ntupdate = September 10, 2008

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

Club career

Early years and Lokomotiv

Ivanović began his career in his home town in FK Srem, before transferring to OFK Beograd in 2003. 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 2006. He became a member of national Serbian team during his Russian career. 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 [ [http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23065455-29437,00.html Chelsea complete Ivanovic signing] ] subject to the agreement of personal terms and the passing of a medical [cite news|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/page/NewsHomePage/0,,10268~1215933,00.html|title=Ivanović statement|date=2008-01-15|accessdate=2008-01-16|publisher=chelseafc.com] , 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. [cite news|url=http://www.fclm.ru/news/587b8426d0024275a603376ced47736b.html|title=оформил крупнейший трансфер в истории российского футбола|date=2008-01-16|accessdate=2008-01-17|publisher=fclm.ru|language=Russian] Ivanović signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Chelsea the following day. He was given the number 2 shirt. [cite news|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/page/NewsHomePage/0,,10268~1216855,00.html|title=Ivanović signs|date=2008-01-16|accessdate=2008-01-16|publisher=chelseafc.com]

Despite the substantial price tag, Ivanovic 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, Ivanovic 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, which Chelsea won 2-0 thanks to goals from Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka on October 52008, on Match Of The Day 2, Alan Hansen described Ivanovic as 'probably Chelsea's 7th choice centre-back, but he was the best one out there on the pitch today'.

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.

enior

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. [cite web|url=http://www.fss.org.yu/reprezentacija/igracPodaci.jsp?id=5&igracId=15|title=Branislav Ivanović profile|accessdate=2008-01-16|date=2008-01-16|year=2008|month=01|publisher=Football Association of Serbia|language=Serbian] 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. [cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/euro/fixturesresults/round=2241/match=83790/index.html|title=Ivanović strike denies Portugal points|accessdate=2008-01-15|date=2007-09-12|year= 2007|month=09 |publisher=www.uefa.com]

Career honours

FC Lokomotiv Moscow
* sport honours|Russian Cup|1|2006–2007

References

External links

* [http://www.reprezentacija.co.yu/]
* [http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=534003 Goal.com profile]
* [http://www.beliorlovi.net/branislav-ivanovic.html National team profile of Branislav Ivanović at Beli Orlovi]
* [http://www.reprezentacija.co.yu/cgi-bin/index.pl?str=igraci&strana=Ivanovic_Branislav Branislav Ivanović national team profile at Reprezentacija.co.yu]