Player Profile – Branislav Ivanovic

DOB: 22 February 1984
Age: 27
Place of birth: Sremska Mitrovica
Nationality: SFR Yugoslavia
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 2
 
Family

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 Srem, the club his father also turned out for professionally, playing the defensive positions of sweeper and centre-half.
Ivanović has a son called Stefan.
 
Early Days

Ivanović began his career in his home town with Srem, before transferring to OFK Beograd in December 2003, during the 2003–04 winter transfer window.

Signed from Lokomotiv Moscow on a three-and-a-half year contract, Branislav became then manager Avram Grant’s second signing in the January 2008 transfer window, following on from the arrival of Nicolas Anelka.

Awards/Key Moments

Lokomotiv

◦ Russian Cup: 2007

Chelsea

◦ Premier League: 2009–10
◦ FA Cup: 2009, 2010
◦ FA Community Shield: 2009
◦ Premier League Asia Trophy: 2011

Individual

◦ PFA Team of the Year: 2010
 
Previous Clubs

2001 – 2002 Remont
2002 – 2003 Screm
2003 – 2006 OFK Beograd
2006 – 2008 Lokomotiv Moscow
2008 – Current Chelsea

International Career

A star of Serbia’s Under 21s in both the 2006 and 2007 European Championships, Branislav was voted into the Uefa Team of the Tournament for the more recent event, and successfully graduated into a regular for the full national side. He made his Serbia and Montenegro debut in June 2006 and was established on the international scene before he was established for Chelsea.

No-one played more minutes for Serbia in qualifying for 2010 World Cup where he was a regular although his team didn’t make it out the group stage despite defeating Germany. He previously captained Serbia to the final of the European Under 21 Championships.

Quotes from Player

“Last season was a different situation because we had to win there, and when you play a big game away and you have to win, psychologically, it’s completely different.”

“You can have a striker who scores 50 goals in one season but if you win nothing it means nothing”

“I don’t like to speak about me personally and I think every player’s success can be judged on what the team does”

“I think our fans deserve to have a good game from us”
 

What the fans say…

@rahulmjCFC

“Gallant and fast Horse”

@ladi_isola

“Sturdy,serious danger averter!”

@Alooi_Shaer

“Powerful and Tactical”

By Clare Smith
Twitter @chelsea4girls