Robert Kovač

Infobox Football biography
playername= Robert Kovač
fullname = Robert Kovač
nickname =


dateofbirth = birth date and age|1974|4|6
cityofbirth = West Berlin
countryofbirth = West Germany
height = height|m=1.82
currentclub = Borussia Dortmund
clubnumber = 21
position = Centre back
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1992–1995
1995–1996
1996–2001
2001–2005
2005–2007
2007–present
clubs = Hertha Zehlendorf
1. FC Nuremberg
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayern Munich
Juventus
Borussia Dortmund
caps(goals) = 085 (11)
033 0(1)
134 0(1)
100 0(0)
035 0(1)
022 0(0)
nationalyears = 1999–
nationalteam = Croatia
nationalcaps(goals) = 080 0(0)
pcupdate = July 8 2008
ntupdate = September 10 2008

Robert Kovač [IPA|ˈrɔbɛrt ˈkɔʋaːtʃ] (born April 6, 1974 in West Berlin, West Germany) is a Croatian football defender who is a part of the Croatian national team. He is generally considered one of Croatia's best defenders in recent history.

Robert Kovač, along his older brother Niko, were both born in West Berlin to a family of Croatian gastarbeiters from Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and are among a handful of players on the national team born in foreign countries, and the pair have brought some of the stamina necessary to play in the Bundesliga to Croatia's game.

Kovač started his career in lower league clubs Rapide Wedding and Hertha Zehlendorf (1994–1995) before making his Bundesliga debut with FC Nuremberg in 1995. Then, he played for Bayer Leverkusen (1996-2001) and then moved to Bayern Munich in 2001.

He played for Croatia at the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004. He also started for Croatia at World Cup 2006 and played well in defence however after picking up a second yellow against Japan he missed the final group match against Australia through suspension. Without Kovač, Croatia struggled in defence with his replacement Tomas committing handball for Australia's first goal via penalty kick. Croatia eventually drew 2-2 with Australia but were eliminated from the tournament. With Croatia, Leverkusen, and Bayern, Robert was teammates with brother Niko Kovač.

Armed with a good sense of timing, sophistication rather than raw power, strength and speed, Kovač is the incarnation of the modern defender who can venture forward and supply defence-splitting passes with ease.

Although there were reports that he agreed on all terms to play with Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb at the start of the 2007–2008 season, the transfer fell out due to inability to agree on terms. Instead, he agreed terms with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund on June 20.

He is married and with his wife Anica Kovač he has two children.

External links

* [http://www.leverkusen.com/whoiswho/whoiswho.php4?view=Kovac_R Leverkusen who's who]
* [http://www.hnl-statistika.com/en_p1.asp?ID=1263 Kovač profile from Croatian Football Portal]