Josip JuranoviÃÂ (; born 16 August 1995) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a right-back or right wing-back for Bundesliga club Union Berlin and the Croatia national team.
Born in Zagreb, Croatia, Juranoviàwent through the ranks of the third-tier Dubrava, apart from a two-month stint at the nearby NK Croatia Sesvete academy. Making his third-level senior debut in the 2012âÂÂ13 season, he first drew attention to himself by winning the Croatian leg of the Nike Chance competition for amateur players in early 2014, earning the right to vie for a spot in the Nike Academy team. Not making the five-person cut, however, he returned to his club. His club performances remained strong, and, touted by some media as the best player of the autumn leg of the 2014âÂÂ15 TreÃÂa HNL Zapad, he drew the attention of HNK Hajduk Split.
After signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with Hajduk Split in early 2015, he initially joined their third-tier B team, but was moved to the first team in April 2015 by the new manager Goran VuÃÂeviÃÂ, and he made his Prva HNL debut in a 2âÂÂ1 home loss against Rijeka.
In June 2018, Juranoviàwas selected in the Prva HNL team of the season for his performances during the 2017âÂÂ18 season.
On 31 July 2020, he signed a three-year contract with the Polish club Legia Warszawa. He scored the first goal for Legia on October 21, 2020, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against à Âlàsk Wrocà Âaw. He won the Ekstraklasa at the end of his only season at the club.
Juranoviàsigned for Scottish Premiership side Celtic in August 2021 from Legia Warsaw on a five-year deal. The transfer fee was a reported ã2.5 million. Despite playing the majority of his professional career as a right-back, Juranovic would start as a left-back during his introductory stage at Celtic, including his debut against rivals Rangers at Ibrox. He would assume the role of Celtic's penalty taker in his first season, notably scoring against Real Betis, Bayer Leverkusen and three other times in the league. In December, he was a member of Celtic's League Cup victory against Hibernian. His contributions to Celtic's title-winning defence would see him earn a spot in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year.
On 6 September 2022, Juranoviàplayed his first UEFA Champions League group stage match in a 3âÂÂ0 home defeat against Real Madrid at Celtic Park.
While on international duty with the Croatia national team, Juranoviàwas strongly linked to a move away from Celtic during the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea and being credited with interest ahead of the January transfer window. Speculation heightened after Celtic signed Canadian international Alistair Johnston from Major League Soccer side CF Montréal, who was seen as JuranoviÃÂ's potential replacement at right-back.
On 22 January 2023, Juranoviàsigned for Bundesliga side Union Berlin for ã7.5 million plus additional add-ons.
On 14 January 2017, Juranoviàdebuted for the Croatian senior squad. in the third-place playoff of 2017 China Cup against China, Croatia lost 5âÂÂ4 on penalties after a goalless draw.
On 17 May 2021, Juranoviàwas selected in Croatia's 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2020. He played two games for the team in the tournament, a 3âÂÂ1 victory against Scotland in the group stage and a 5âÂÂ3 loss against Spain in the Round of 16.
On 9 November 2022, Juranoviàwas selected in Croatia's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They were eliminated in the semi-final against Argentina and played their last game on 17 December in a 2âÂÂ1 victory against Morocco; finishing in third place.
JuranoviÃÂ is from the Dubrava area in the capital of Zagreb. He went to Mato Lovrak elementary school in Klaka, Dubrava.
Legia Warsaw
Celtic
Croatia
Individual