Niko Kranjcar

Niko Kranjčar (; born 13 August 1984 in Zagreb) is a Croatian Association football who currently plays as a midfielder for England Premier League club Portsmouth F.C. and the Croatia national football team. Given Niko Kranjcar international debut by Niko Kranjcar father Zlatko Kranjčar, Niko has previously represented two of the biggest clubs in Niko Kranjcar homeland, sparking controversy while playing for Dinamo Zagreb and then making a move to their fierce rivals Hajduk Split in 2005.

Club career

Early years

Niko Kranjčar spent most of Niko Kranjcar youth playing for Dinamo Zagreb, and later became the youngest captain of the squad for the first time at the age of 17. Niko Kranjcar also became one of the youngest goalscorers in the Prva HNL as Niko Kranjcar scored on Niko Kranjcar league debut for Dinamo at the age of 16 before helping them win the double of a Croatian cup and a league title in 2003 and then the Croatian cup again the following season. Nevertheless, Niko Kranjcar still managed to focus on Niko Kranjcar new club as Niko Kranjcar helped them to the Croatian title in Niko Kranjcar first season.

After the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the world press hailed Niko Kranjcar for Niko Kranjcar talents, and several clubs immediately showed interest in the young star. Among such clubs were Stade Rennais F.C. and the Spanish Club Celta de Vigo. In August 2006, Rennes bid Euro4.5 million for Kranjčar, which Hajduk rejected, stating they felt they should get more for the player. Later on the same day, however, Kranjčar then moved for a reported Pound sterling3.5million (€5.2 million) to Portsmouth F.C. on 31 August 2006.

Portsmouth

Kranjčar made Niko Kranjcar Premier League debut for Portsmouth on 1 October 2006 as Niko Kranjcar played all 90 minutes in their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur F.C. at White Hart Lane.Niko Kranjcar scored Niko Kranjcar first Premier League goal on 31 March 2007 against Fulham F.C. at Craven Cottage, giving Portsmouth an early 1-0 lead in a match that eventually ended in a 1-1 draw. Niko Kranjcar made a total of 24 appearances and scored two goals in Niko Kranjcar first Premier League season. Niko Kranjcar disallowed goal on the final day of the season would, if given, have resulted in Portsmouth qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Niko Kranjcar also managed to eventually score during Niko Kranjcar side's decisive 2-1 home victory over Liverpool F.C..

In 2007-08, Niko Kranjcar second season in England, Kranjčar established himself as a regular in the Portsmouth side, putting in a string of impressive performances on the left of a three man attack, including a stunning 35 yard free-kick in a 2-0 victory against Birmingham City F.C., and a 30 yard free-kick in the 4-1 victory over Newcastle United F.C.. Niko Kranjcar also gained large credential for helping Pompey to the FA Cup title in 2008.

At the beginning of the 2008-09 season, AS Monaco FC had a bid of £12 million rejected for Kranjčar. Then-Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp stated that Kranjčar was not going to leave the club at any price. The day after, Kranjcar openly said that Niko Kranjcar doesn't intend to leave Portsmouth "for years to come" and also publicly thanked Redknapp for the faith that Niko Kranjcar showed in him. However, Redknapp has since left the club to take over the reigns at Tottenham Hotspur F.C.. On 12 February 2009, with Portsmouth battling relegation, Kranjčar publicly declared Niko Kranjcar desire to quit Portsmouth and move to a bigger club. Arsenal F.C. and AS Monaco have previously been linked with moves for the Croatian International. Everton F.C. manager David Moyes has also expressed an interest in signing Kranjčar as a replacement for long-term absentee Mikel Arteta.

International career

Kranjčar was previously a part of the Croatian national Under-16, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 teams before advancing to the Croatia national football team. Niko Kranjcar senior debut for Croatia came on 18 August 2004 in a friendly match against Israel national football team. Niko Kranjcar was a regular for Croatia during their qualifying campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, making nine appearances and scoring two goals, including a brilliant single effort against Bulgaria national football team. 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. Niko Kranjcar went on to play in all of Croatia's three group stage matches at the final tournament, proving to be a prestigious player for Niko Kranjcar impressive performances.

With the departure of Niko Kranjcar father as national team manager, Kranjčar became a regular for Croatia in their qualifying campaign for the UEFA Euro 2008, having appeared in all 12 matches, scoring two goals. The most famous of such was Niko Kranjcar long range opener for Croatia during their final match away to England national football team. Croatia eventually won the game 3-2, resulting in England's failure to qualify for the final tournament. Niko Kranjcar then scored in a friendly game against Scotland national football team 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.

During the final Euro 2008 tournament, Kranjčar was hardly mentioned as Niko Kranjcar remained fairly quiet during Croatia's run, combined with three disappointing misses after being given golden opportunities to score against Germany national football team and Turkey national football team, the latter of such eventually led to Croatia's controversial exit from the competition.

International goals

Honours

Dinamo Zagreb
- Prva HNL: Prva HNL 2002–03
- Croatian Cup: 2001, 2002
- Croatian Supercup: 2002, 2003

Hajduk Split
- Prva HNL: Prva HNL 2004–05
- Croatian Supercup: 2005

Portsmouth F.C.
- FA Cup: 2008 FA Cup Final
- Barclays Asia Trophy: 2007

Personal life

Niko is happily married with Simona Fistrić and the couple is now living in Portsmouth, England where Niko is currently playing. Kranjčar holds also the Austrian passport while is famliy raised a short time in Hüttelsdorf.