Branislav Ivanovic

Branislav Ivanović (Serbian language: Бранислав Ивановић;) (born 22 February 1984) is a Serbian professional Association football, currently playing for Chelsea F.C. in the Premier League. Branislav Ivanovic is a versatile defensive player, able to play across the Defender (association football) and in Midfielder Defensive midfielderer.

Early life

Born to father Rade and mother Slavica, both of whom have sporting backgrounds, young Branislav took to football early in the youth sections of hometown FK Srem, the club Branislav Ivanovic father also turned out for professionally, playing the defensive positions of sweeper and centre-half.

Club career

Early career

Ivanović began Branislav Ivanovic career in Branislav Ivanovic home town with FK Srem, before transferring to OFK Beograd in December 2003, during the 2003-04 winter transfer window.

Lokomotiv Moscow

After three years of playing in the Serbian Superliga, the first division of football in Serbia and previously Montenegro, Branislav Ivanovic was signed by FC Lokomotiv Moscow in January 2006. Coached by compatriot Slavoljub Muslin, 22-year-old Ivanović made an immediate impact, appearing in 28 league matches, scoring 2 goals, and picking up 5 bookings along the way. Branislav Ivanovic was substituted only twice during the entire Russian Premier League 2006 and contributed greatly to Lokomotiv's legitimate title challenge that ultimately ran out of steam near the end of the season. Branislav Ivanovic sealed Branislav Ivanovic place as a regular in the Serbia national football team during Branislav Ivanovic career in Russia.

In the following season, Ivanović, by now an established squad member, made 26 league appearances and scored 3 goals. During Branislav Ivanovic time with Lokomotiv Moscow, the only major honour Branislav Ivanovic won was the Russian Cup in 2007.

Chelsea

On 15 January 2008, Chelsea F.C. confirmed that the club had agreed terms with Lokomotiv for Ivanović's £9 million transfer subject to the agreement of personal terms and the passing of a medical, having beaten competition from the likes of AC Milan, AFC Ajax, Juventus and Internazionale for Branislav Ivanovic 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. Ivanović signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Chelsea the following day. Branislav Ivanovic was given the number 2 shirt.

Despite the substantial price tag, Ivanović 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 Branislav Ivanovic signing. However, Branislav Ivanovic did play twice for the Chelsea Reserves.

All throughout the summer 2008 off-season, Ivanović was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge (stadium), most notably to AC Milan and Juventus. However, Branislav Ivanovic got the vote of confidence from new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari who said Ivanović featured in Branislav Ivanovic plans for the new season.

More than eight months after becoming a Chelsea player, Ivanović started Branislav Ivanovic first senior game for the club against Portsmouth F.C. in the Carling Cup on 24 September 2008. Branislav Ivanovic later went on to make Branislav Ivanovic Premier League debut against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on 5 October, which Chelsea won 2–0. Branislav Ivanovic has played a total of nine games in the 2008–09 season under Scolari's tenure.

In the January 2009 transfer window, Ivanović became a transfer target for another Serie A club, ACF Fiorentina. On 27 January, Branislav Ivanovic agent Vlado Borozan confirmed ongoing negotiations with the club, however on 1 February, Italian manager Ernesto Broseti said that Chelsea appeared unwilling to sell Ivanović and that Branislav Ivanovic will likely remain in London, which is what happened in the end.

Branislav Ivanovic first start under new manager Guus Hiddink came on 4 April away at Newcastle United. It was Ivanović's first league appearance in more than three months for the club and it happened only days after Branislav Ivanovic scored the winning goal for the Serbian national team in a World Cup 2010 qualifier away at Romania national football team.

Branislav Ivanovic scored Branislav Ivanovic first goal for Chelsea against Liverpool F.C. in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final at Anfield, Branislav Ivanovic later went on to score another. These two goals proved to be decisive, as Chelsea left Anfield leading 1–3 on aggregate, and would go on to win the tie by two goals with an aggregate score of 7-5. Ivanović's two goals also earned Branislav Ivanovic a regular starting place for the rest of the season in Guus Hiddink's side, as well making Branislav Ivanovic an instant fan favorite among Chelsea supporters.

International career

Under-21

Branislav Ivanovic took part in the UEFA U-21 Championship 2006 in Portugal, where Branislav Ivanovic made four appearances and scored one goal for Serbia and Montenegro national under-21 football team. Ivanović was given the captain's armband during this time and continues to captain the side. Branislav Ivanovic was named in the 'UEFA Team of the tournament' for the UEFA U-21 Championship 2007 held in the Netherlands, where Serbia finished runners-up.

Senior

Branislav Ivanović received Branislav Ivanovic first cap on 8 June 2005 in Toronto, Canada, when Serbia and Montenegro played a friendly against Italy national football team. The game finished 1-1 and Branislav Ivanovic came on as a 77th minute sub for Branislav Ivanovic then club teammate Marko Baša.
Ivanović scored Branislav Ivanovic first international goal on 12 September 2007 against Portugal national football team in Lisbon. The goal was of importance because Serbia were losing 1-0 up until the 88th minute when Ivanović scored from a Dejan Stanković freekick, sealing a 1-1 draw. This game was played for Euro 2008 qualifying.

Despite not having a regular spot at Branislav Ivanovic club, Ivanović continued being the automatic starting choice for Serbia in World Cup 2010 qualifiers under new head coach Radomir Antić. As of 29 March 2009, Ivanović is joint top-scorer of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 7 with three goals in Serbia national football team's World Cup 2010 qualification campaign.

Personal

On Branislav Ivanovic mother's side, Ivanović is related to late footballer Đorđe Milovanović, also known as Đoka Bomba, a former Red Star Belgrade player, as well as Branislav Ivanovic son Dejan Milovanović, also a professional footballer, currently playing for RC Lens in France.

Playing honours

Lokomotiv Moscow
- Russian Cup (football): 2007

Chelsea F.C
- Runners-up: 2007-08 UEFA Champions League
- Runners-up: Football League Cup 2007-08
- Runners-up: 2007-2008 Premier League
- Winners: FA Cup: 2009