Zvonimir Kožulj

Zvonimir Kožulj
Kožulj with Bosnia and Herzegovina U21 in 2014
Personal information
Full name Zvonimir Kožulj
Date of birth (1993-11-15) 15 November 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth Ljubuški, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Široki Brijeg
Number 10
Youth career
2000–2011 Zrinjski Mostar
2011–2013 Široki Brijeg
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2016 Široki Brijeg 54 (11)
2013 → Vitez (loan) 10 (1)
2014 → Branitelj (loan) 12 (1)
2016–2018 Hajduk Split 49 (4)
2018–2020 Pogoń Szczecin 56 (12)
2020–2021 Gaziantep 18 (0)
2021–2022 Eyüpspor 6 (0)
2022 → Bruk-Bet Termalica (loan) 0 (0)
2023 Sandecja Nowy Sącz 0 (0)
2023–2024 Zrinjski Mostar 4 (0)
2024 Universitatea Craiova 2 (0)
2024– Široki Brijeg 7 (0)
International career
2012 Bosnia and Herzegovina U19 4 (0)
2014 Bosnia and Herzegovina U21 1 (0)
2016 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14 November 2024

Zvonimir Kožulj (Croatian pronunciation: [zʋǒnimiːr kǒʒuːʎ]; born 15 November 1993) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bosnian Premier League club Široki Brijeg.

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.[1] He made his professional debut against Čelik Zenica on 30 March 2013 at the age of 19.[2]

In the summer of 2013, he was sent on a six-month loan to Vitez.[3] On 24 August 2013, he scored his first professional goal.[4] In January 2014, he was loaned to Branitelj until the end of season.[5]

Hajduk Split

On 14 June 2016, Kožulj was transferred to Croatian side Hajduk Split for an undisclosed fee.[6] He made his competitive debut for the club in UEFA Europa League qualifier against Politehnica Iași on 14 July.[7] Three days later, on his league debut, he scored a goal in an away win over Cibalia.[8]

Pogoń Szczecin

In June 2018, Kožulj signed a three-year contract with Polish team Pogoń Szczecin.[9] He made his official debut for the club on 20 July against Miedź Legnica.[10] On 19 October, Kožulj scored his first goal for Pogoń Szczecin in an away defeat to Jagiellonia.[11] He was released from his contract in April 2020.[12]

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,[13] but he did not have a chance to debut after suffering an ACL injury during his first training session with the club.[14] From January to April 2023, he was with Sandecja Nowy Sącz, though he did not play any matches.[15]

On 24 June 2023, he signed with Bosnian champions Zrinjski Mostar, agreeing to a contract until 2025.[16] 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.[17] 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.[18]

International career

Having been eligible to represent both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, Kožulj opted for the former, representing it on various youth levels.[19]

In May 2016, he received his first senior call-up for a friendly game against Spain and the 2016 Kirin Cup.[20] Kožulj debuted against Japan on 7 June.[21]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 10 November 2024[22]
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Široki Brijeg 2012–13 Bosnian Premier League 6 0 2 0 0 0 8 0
2014–15 Bosnian Premier League 26 5 7 1 2[b] 0 35 6
2015–16 Bosnian Premier League 22 6 3 1 — 25 7
Total 54 11 12 2 2 0 68 13
Vitez (loan) 2013–14 Bosnian Premier League 10 1 2 0 — 12 1
Branitelj (loan) 2013–14 First League of FBiH 12 1 — — 12 1
Hajduk Split 2016–17 1. HNL 26 4 3 0 6[b] 0 35 4
2017–18 1. HNL 23 0 2 0 5[b] 0 30 0
Total 49 4 5 0 11 0 65 4
Pogoń Szczecin 2018–19 Ekstraklasa 34 9 1 0 — 35 9
2019–20 Ekstraklasa 22 3 1 0 — 23 3
Total 56 12 2 0 — 58 12
Gaziantep 2020–21 Süper Lig 18 0 2 1 — 20 1
Eyüpspor 2021–22 TFF First League 6 0 1 0 — 7 0
Bruk-Bet Termalica (loan) 2021–22 Ekstraklasa 0 0 — — 0 0
Sandecja Nowy Sącz 2022–23 I liga 0 0 — — 0 0
Zrinjski Mostar 2023–24 Bosnian Premier League 4 0 0 0 6[c] 2 10 2
Universitatea Craiova 2023–24 Liga I 2 0 1 0 — 3 0
Široki Brijeg 2024–25 Bosnian Premier League 7 0 1 0 — 8 0
Career total 218 29 26 3 19 2 263 34
  1. ^ Includes Bosnian Cup, Croatian Cup, Polish Cup, Turkish Cup, Cupa României
  2. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances and two goals in UEFA Europa Conference League

International

As of match played 7 June 2016[23]
National team Year Apps Goals
Bosnia and Herzegovina
2016 1 0
Total 1 0

Honours

Široki Brijeg

Hajduk Split

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Zvonimir Kožulj: Nadam se pozivu Prosinečkog za buduća okupljanja". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 16 November 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  2. ^ "Dedić donio pobjedu Čeliku u Širokom Brijegu". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 30 March 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  3. ^ "Zvonimir Kožulj i Slavko Brekalo posuđeni Vitezu". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 19 June 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  4. ^ "Kožulj donio bod Vitezu protiv Zrinjskog". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 24 August 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  5. ^ "Zvonimir Kožulj iz Viteza prešao u Branitelj". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 14 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  6. ^ "Zvonimir Kožulj potpisao za Hajduk". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 14 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  7. ^ "Hajduku remi u Rumuniji, Vojvodini domaća pobjeda". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 14 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  8. ^ "Zvonimir Kožulj postigao veoma lijep gol iz slobodnjaka u pobjedi Hajduka". scsport.ba (in Bosnian). 17 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  9. ^ "Zvonimir Kožulj novi igrač poljskog Pogońa". fokus.ba (in Bosnian). 21 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  10. ^ "Zvonimir Kožulj debitovao za Pogoń". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 20 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  11. ^ "Kožulj pogodio u porazu Pogońa". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 19 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  12. ^ "Zvonimir Kožulj više nije igrač Pogona iz Szczecina". jutarnjilist (in Croatian). 4 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  13. ^ "Zvonimir Kožulj zawodnikiem Bruk-Betu Termaliki". 90minut.pl (in Polish). 21 January 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  14. ^ Janczyk, Szymon (9 November 2023). "Gwiazda ligi, sądzenie się z Termaliką, zesłanie w Nowym Sączu. Polskie losy Zvonimira Kozulja". weszlo.com (in Polish). Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  15. ^ "Zvonimir Kožulj odchodzi z Sandecji". www.90minut.pl. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Zvonimir Kožulj w Zrinjskim". www.90minut.pl. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  17. ^ UEFA.com. "History: Zrinjski 4-3 AZ Alkmaar | UEFA Conference League 2023/24". UEFA.com. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  18. ^ "Groźby śmierci i konflikt w szatni. Kłopoty w obozie rywali Legii". sport.tvp.pl (in Polish). 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  19. ^ "Zvonimir Kožulj: Selektor Baždarević me ugodno iznenadio". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 19 May 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  20. ^ "Baždarević objavio spisak Zmajeva za Španiju i Kirin kup: Bez Ibiševića, Lulića i Bičakčića". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 20 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  21. ^ "BiH sa četiri debitanta pobijedila Japan". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 7 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  22. ^ a b c "Z. Kožulj". soccerway.com. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Zvonimir Kožulj". eu-football.info. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  24. ^ "Zvonimir Kozulj piłkarzem lipca PKO Ekstraklasy!" (in Polish). Pogoń Szczecin. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  25. ^ "Piłkarz Lipca 2019: Zvonimir Kozulj" (in Polish). Ekstraklasa. 8 August 2019. Archived from the original on 11 September 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.