Zvonimir Kožulj
{{Short description|Bosnian footballer (born 1993)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Zvonimir Kožulj
| fullname = Zvonimir Kožulj
| image = 20140905 U21 AUT BIH BIH14 1042-2.jpg
| caption = Kožulj with Bosnia and Herzegovina U21 in 2014
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|11|15|df=y}}
| birth_place = Ljubuški, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
| height = 1.80 m
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2000–2011
| youthclubs1 = Zrinjski Mostar
| youthyears2 = 2011–2013
| youthclubs2 = Široki Brijeg
| years1 = 2013–2016
| clubs1 = Široki Brijeg
| caps1 = 54
| goals1 = 11
| years2 = 2013
| clubs2 = → Vitez (loan)
| caps2 = 10
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2014
| clubs3 = → Branitelj (loan)
| caps3 = 12
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2016–2018
| clubs4 = Hajduk Split
| caps4 = 49
| goals4 = 4
| years5 = 2018–2020
| clubs5 = Pogoń Szczecin
| caps5 = 56
| goals5 = 12
| years6 = 2020–2021
| clubs6 = Gaziantep
| caps6 = 18
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2021–2022
| clubs7 = Eyüpspor
| caps7 = 6
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2022
| clubs8 = → Bruk-Bet Termalica (loan)
| caps8 = 0
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2023
| clubs9 = Sandecja Nowy Sącz
| caps9 = 0
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2023–2024
| clubs10 = Zrinjski Mostar
| caps10 = 4
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2024
| clubs11 = Universitatea Craiova
| caps11 = 2
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2024–2025
| clubs12 = Široki Brijeg
| caps12 = 8
| goals12 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2012
| nationalteam1 = Bosnia and Herzegovina U19
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2014
| nationalteam2 = Bosnia and Herzegovina U21
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2016
| nationalteam3 = Bosnia and Herzegovina
| nationalcaps3 = 1
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| club-update = 23 November 2024
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Zvonimir Kožulj ({{IPA|hr|zʋǒnimiːr kǒʒuːʎ}}; born 15 November 1993) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.
Kožulj started his professional career at Široki Brijeg, who loaned him to Vitez in 2013 and to Branitelj in 2014. In 2016, he joined Hajduk Split. Two years later, he was transferred to Pogoń Szczecin. After unsuccessful stints with Turkish sides Gaziantep and Eyüpspor, Kožulj signed with Bruk-Bet Termalica in 2022 but never made an appearance due to an injury picked up shortly after joining.
A former youth international for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kožulj made his senior international debut in 2016.
Club career
=Early career=
Kožulj came through Zrinjski Mostar's youth academy, which he left in 2011 to join Široki Brijeg.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/zvonimir-kozulj-nadam-se-pozivu-prosineckog-za-buduca-okupljanja/297006|title=Zvonimir Kožulj: Nadam se pozivu Prosinečkog za buduća okupljanja|website=sportsport.ba|date=16 November 2018|access-date=17 November 2018|language=bs}} He made his professional debut against Čelik Zenica on 30 March 2013 at the age of 19.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/dedic-donio-pobjedu-celiku-u-sirokom-brijegu/101576|title=Dedić donio pobjedu Čeliku u Širokom Brijegu|website=sportsport.ba|date=30 March 2013|access-date=2 April 2013|language=bs}}
In the summer of 2013, he was sent on a six-month loan to Vitez.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/zvonimir-kozulj-i-slavko-brekalo-posudeni-vitezu/107402|title=Zvonimir Kožulj i Slavko Brekalo posuđeni Vitezu|website=sportsport.ba|date=19 June 2013|access-date=20 June 2013|language=bs}} On 24 August 2013, he scored his first professional goal.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/kozul-donio-bod-vitezu-protiv-zrinjskog/112119|title=Kožulj donio bod Vitezu protiv Zrinjskog|website=sportsport.ba|date=24 August 2013|access-date=26 August 2013|language=bs}} In January 2014, he was loaned to Branitelj until the end of season.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/zvonimir-kozulj-iz-viteza-presao-u-branitelj/122030|title=Zvonimir Kožulj iz Viteza prešao u Branitelj|website=sportsport.ba|date=14 January 2014|access-date=16 January 2014|language=bs}}
=Hajduk Split=
On 14 June 2016, Kožulj was transferred to Croatian side Hajduk Split for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news|url=https://klix.ba/sport/nogomet/zvonimir-kozulj-potpisao-za-hajduk-radujem-se-nastupima-na-prepunom-poljudu/160614125|title=Zvonimir Kožulj potpisao za Hajduk|website=klix.ba|date=14 June 2016|access-date=16 June 2016|language=bs}} He made his competitive debut for the club in UEFA Europa League qualifier against Politehnica Iași on 14 July.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/hajduku-remi-u-rumuniji-vojvodini-domaca-pobjeda/200346|title=Hajduku remi u Rumuniji, Vojvodini domaća pobjeda|website=sportsport.ba|date=14 July 2016|access-date=15 July 2016|language=bs}} Three days later, on his league debut, he scored a goal in an away win over Cibalia.{{cite news|url=https://scsport.ba/zvonimir-kozulj-postigao-veoma-lijep-gol-iz-slobodnajaka-u-pobjedi-hajduka|title=Zvonimir Kožulj postigao veoma lijep gol iz slobodnjaka u pobjedi Hajduka|website=scsport.ba|date=17 July 2016|access-date=19 July 2016|language=bs}}
=Pogoń Szczecin=
In June 2018, Kožulj signed a three-year contract with Polish team Pogoń Szczecin.{{cite news|url=https://fokus.ba/sport/fudbal/pogon-predstavio-kozulja/1143784|title=Zvonimir Kožulj novi igrač poljskog Pogońa|website=fokus.ba|date=21 June 2018|access-date=22 June 2018|language=bs}} He made his official debut for the club on 20 July against Miedź Legnica.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/asistencija-kozulja-u-prvoj-pobjedi-pogona/290742|title=Zvonimir Kožulj debitovao za Pogoń|website=sportsport.ba|date=20 July 2018|access-date=21 July 2018|language=bs}} On 19 October, Kožulj scored his first goal for Pogoń Szczecin in an away defeat to Jagiellonia.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/kozulj-pogodio-u-porazu-pogona/293901|title=Kožulj pogodio u porazu Pogońa|website=sportsport.ba|date=19 October 2018|access-date=22 October 2018|language=bs}} He was released from his contract in April 2020.{{cite news|url=https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/nogomet/moj-je-klub-odlucio-ne-dati-mi-novi-ugovor-sad-moram-cekati-i-nadati-se-nekim-boljim-vremenima-poslodavci-nisu-imali-milosti-za-bivseg-hajdukovca/10172440/|title=Zvonimir Kožulj više nije igrač Pogona iz Szczecina|website=jutarnjilist|date=4 April 2020|access-date=4 April 2020|language=hr}}
= Later career =
In August 2020, he joined the Turkish club Gaziantep FK.
In the winter of 2022, he was loaned to Polish club Bruk-Bet Termalica Nieciecza for six months with a purchase option,{{cite web |title=Zvonimir Kožulj zawodnikiem Bruk-Betu Termaliki |url=http://www.90minut.pl/news/317/news3172758-Zvonimir-Kozulj-zawodnikiem-Bruk-Betu-Termaliki.html |website=90minut.pl |access-date=14 November 2024 |language=pl |date=21 January 2022}} but he did not have a chance to debut after suffering an ACL injury during his first training session with the club.{{cite web |last=Janczyk |first=Szymon |title=Gwiazda ligi, sądzenie się z Termaliką, zesłanie w Nowym Sączu. Polskie losy Zvonimira Kozulja |url=https://weszlo.com/2023/11/09/zvonimir-kozulj-pogon-szczecin-bruk-bet-termalica-nieciecza-sandecja-historia/ |website=weszlo.com |access-date=14 November 2024 |language=pl |date=9 November 2023}} From January to April 2023, he was with Sandecja Nowy Sącz, though he did not play any matches.{{Cite web |title=Zvonimir Kožulj odchodzi z Sandecji |url=http://www.90minut.pl/news/325/news3255683-Zvonimir-Kozulj-odchodzi-z-Sandecji.html |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=www.90minut.pl}}
On 24 June 2023, he signed with Bosnian champions Zrinjski Mostar, agreeing to a contract until 2025.{{Cite web |title=Zvonimir Kožulj w Zrinjskim |url=http://www.90minut.pl/news/326/news3267216-Zvonimir-Kozulj-w-Zrinjskim.html |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=www.90minut.pl}} He played in the group stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League and was the hero of the first-round match against AZ Alkmaar, turning the game around with two goals and an assist.{{Cite web |last=UEFA.com |title=History: Zrinjski 4-3 AZ Alkmaar {{!}} UEFA Conference League 2023/24 |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaconferenceleague/match/2039291--zrinjski-vs-az-alkmaar/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=UEFA |language=en}} A few weeks later, just before the second-leg match against Legia Warsaw, the media reported that he had been moved to the junior team. The club's coach commented that Kožulj was no longer with them, having made the personal decision not to continue with the team.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-09 |title=Groźby śmierci i konflikt w szatni. Kłopoty w obozie rywali Legii |url=https://sport.tvp.pl/73991819/zvonimir-kozulj-zegna-sie-ze-zrinjskim-mostar-klopoty-rywali-legii-warszawa-w-lidze-konferencji-europy |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=sport.tvp.pl |language=pl}}
International career
Having been eligible to represent both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, Kožulj opted for the former, representing it on various youth levels.{{cite news|url=https://reprezentacija.ba/46567-zvonimir-kozulj-selektor-bazdarevic-me-ugodno-iznenadio|title=Zvonimir Kožulj: Selektor Baždarević me ugodno iznenadio|website=reprezentacija.ba|date=19 May 2016|access-date=21 May 2016|language=bs}}
In May 2016, he received his first senior call-up for a friendly game against Spain and the 2016 Kirin Cup.{{cite news|url=https://klix.ba/sport/nogomet/bazdarevic-objavio-spisak-zmajeva-za-spaniju-i-kirin-kup-bez-ibisevica-lulica-i-bicakcica/160520053|title=Baždarević objavio spisak Zmajeva za Španiju i Kirin kup: Bez Ibiševića, Lulića i Bičakčića|website=klix.ba|date=20 May 2016|access-date=23 May 2016|language=bs}} Kožulj debuted against Japan on 7 June.{{cite news|url=https://reprezentacija.ba/47983-bih-sa-cetiri-debitanta-pobijedila-japan|title=BiH sa četiri debitanta pobijedila Japan|website=reprezentacija.ba|date=7 June 2016|access-date=10 June 2016|language=bs}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 23 November 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/zvonimir-kozulj/245783|title=Z. Kožulj|website=soccerway.com|access-date=3 August 2024}}
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center" | ||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National cup{{efn|Includes Bosnian Cup, Croatian Cup, Polish Cup, Turkish Cup, Cupa României}} !colspan=2|Continental !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=4|Široki Brijeg
|6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2014–15
|Bosnian Premier League |26 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 2{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 35 | 6 | |
| 2015–16
|Bosnian Premier League |22 | 6 | 3 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 25 | 7 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!54 | 11 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 68 | 13 | |
| Vitez (loan)
|Bosnian Premier League |10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 12 | 1 | ||
| Branitelj (loan)
|12 | 1 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 12 | 1 | |||
| rowspan=3|Hajduk Split
|26 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 35 | 4 | |
| 2017–18
|1. HNL |23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 30 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!49 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 65 | 4 | |
| rowspan=3|Pogoń Szczecin
|34 | 9 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 35 | 9 | ||
| 2019–20
|Ekstraklasa |22 | 3 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 23 | 3 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!56 | 12 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 58 | 12 | ||
| Gaziantep
|18 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 20 | 1 | ||
| Eyüpspor
|6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 7 | 0 | ||
| Bruk-Bet Termalica (loan)
|Ekstraklasa |0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| Sandecja Nowy Sącz
|0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| Zrinjski Mostar
|Bosnian Premier League |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6{{efn|Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances and two goals in UEFA Europa Conference League}} | 2 | 10 | 2 | |
| Universitatea Craiova
|2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 3 | 0 | ||
| Široki Brijeg
|Bosnian Premier League |8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 9 | 0 | ||
| colspan=3|Career total
!219 | 29 | 26 | 3 | 19 | 2 | 264 | 34 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 7 June 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=29479|title=Zvonimir Kožulj|website=eu-football.info|access-date=7 June 2016}}
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center" | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan=2|Bosnia and Herzegovina | |||
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total | 1 | 0 |
Honours
Široki Brijeg
Hajduk Split
- Croatian Cup runner-up: 2017–18
Individual
- Ekstraklasa Player of the Month: May 2019,{{cite web |title=Zvonimir Kozulj piłkarzem lipca PKO Ekstraklasy! |url=https://pogonszczecin.pl/newsy/20190808103914/zvonimir-kozulj-pilkarzem-lipca-pko-ekstraklasy |publisher=Pogoń Szczecin |access-date=8 May 2024 |language=pl |date=8 August 2018}} July 2019{{cite web |url=https://ekstraklasa.org/aktualnosci/pilkarz-lipca-2019-zvonimir-kozulj-13998 |title=Piłkarz Lipca 2019: Zvonimir Kozulj |publisher=Ekstraklasa |date=8 August 2019 |access-date=23 July 2020 |language=pl |archive-date=11 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911151644/https://ekstraklasa.org/aktualnosci/pilkarz-lipca-2019-zvonimir-kozulj-13998 |url-status=dead }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{NFT}}
- {{UEFA}}
{{NK Široki Brijeg squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kozulj, Zvonimir}}
Category:Sportspeople from Ljubuški
Category:Footballers from West Herzegovina Canton
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina men's footballers
Category:21st-century Bosnia and Herzegovina sportsmen
Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina men's youth international footballers
Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina men's international footballers
Category:NK Široki Brijeg players
Category:HNK Branitelj players
Category:HNK Hajduk Split players
Category:Pogoń Szczecin players
Category:Gaziantep F.K. footballers
Category:Bruk-Bet Termalica Nieciecza players
Category:Sandecja Nowy Sącz players
Category:HŠK Zrinjski Mostar players
Category:CS Universitatea Craiova players
Category:Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina players
Category:First League of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina players
Category:Croatian Football League players
Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Croatia
Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina expatriate sportspeople in Croatia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Poland
Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina expatriate sportspeople in Poland
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey
Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina expatriate sportspeople in Turkey
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Romania
Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina expatriate sportspeople in Romania