Overview
Josip Juranović, born on August 16, 1995, in Zagreb, Croatia, is a professional footballer renowned for his role as a right-back. Standing at 1.73 meters, Juranović has established himself as a key defensive figure for both club and country. His career trajectory has seen him develop from the Croatian domestic leagues to prominent European competitions, and ultimately, to the international stage with the Croatia national team.
Juranović's playing style is characterized by a blend of defensive tenacity and offensive impetus. He is recognized for his stamina, enabling him to cover the right flank effectively for the full 90 minutes, contributing to both defensive solidity and attacking phases. His consistent performances have made him a reliable choice in high-stakes matches, demonstrating an ability to perform under pressure.
Position
Primarily a right-back, Juranović is adept at fulfilling the modern demands of the position. He is expected to provide width in attack, deliver crosses, and track back diligently to defend against opposition wingers. While his main role is on the right side of the defense, his versatility has occasionally seen him deployed in other defensive roles, showcasing his adaptability within a team structure.
Identity
Juranović's headline identity can be described as a 'Modern Two-Way Full-Back'. He embodies the contemporary requirements for a full-back who is not only defensively sound but also a significant contributor to the team's offensive movements. His energy, commitment, and tactical awareness allow him to transition seamlessly between defensive duties and supporting attacks, making him a valuable asset in systems that rely on active full-backs.
Career path
Josip Juranović's football journey began in Croatia, progressing through youth ranks before making his senior debut and eventually moving to top European leagues.
Youth Academy & Early Career
Juranović started his youth career at NK Dubrava in his hometown of Zagreb. He then moved to NK Croatia Sesvete before joining NK Sesvete, where he broke into senior football. His performances in the Croatian third tier caught the attention of larger clubs.
Hajduk Split
In 2015, Juranović made a significant step in his career by joining Hajduk Split, one of Croatia's most historic clubs, initially playing for their B team. He quickly established himself in the first team, making his debut on April 18, 2015, in a league match against HNK Rijeka. Over five seasons with Hajduk Split, Juranović became a consistent starter, making 167 appearances across all competitions and notably serving as club captain for a period. His tenure at Hajduk Split was crucial for his development, earning him recognition for his reliable performances as a right-back (Transfermarkt).
Legia Warsaw
In August 2020, Juranović moved to Polish Ekstraklasa side Legia Warsaw for an undisclosed fee. He quickly became an integral part of the team, contributing to their league title success in the 2020–21 season. His strong performances in Poland further raised his profile, particularly his attacking output from the right-back position. He made 40 appearances across all competitions for Legia Warsaw (Transfermarkt).
Celtic FC
Following his impressive spell in Poland, Juranović transferred to Scottish Premiership giants Celtic FC in August 2021. He signed a five-year contract and quickly adapted to Scottish football, becoming a first-choice right-back. At Celtic, he continued to showcase his abilities, contributing to both domestic league and cup successes, as well as featuring in UEFA club competitions. His consistent form at Celtic led to further international recognition (Transfermarkt).
Union Berlin
In January 2023, Juranović moved to German Bundesliga club Union Berlin. This transfer marked another step up in his career, joining a team that had been performing strongly in the Bundesliga and competing in European competitions. He quickly established himself as a key player for Union Berlin, continuing his pattern of impactful performances as a right-back (Transfermarkt).
Playing style
Josip Juranović's playing style is characterized by a blend of defensive diligence, athletic prowess, and an increasing offensive contribution, making him a archetypal modern full-back. His attributes are well-suited to systems that demand high energy and tactical flexibility from their wide defensive players.
Defensive Attributes
As a defender, Juranović is known for his robust tackling and positional awareness. He demonstrates a strong work ethic, consistently tracking back to nullify opposition threats on his flank. His tackling success rate is often above average for his position, reflecting his ability to win the ball cleanly. He also possesses good anticipation, allowing him to intercept passes and break up play effectively. Despite his relatively modest height for a defender, he is competitive in aerial duels, particularly against wingers, and exhibits good recovery pace to cover space behind him.
Offensive Contributions
Juranović is equally effective in the attacking third. His stamina allows him to make continuous overlapping runs, providing width and creating numerical advantages. He possesses a reliable crossing ability, capable of delivering dangerous balls into the box from various positions. His decision-making in attack has improved over his career, often choosing the right moment to release the ball or drive into space. He also has a powerful shot from distance, occasionally contributing goals from outside the penalty area. His ability to link up with wingers and central midfielders is a key aspect of his offensive play.
Technical & Tactical Aspects
Technically, Juranović is a competent ball-player, comfortable in possession, and capable of distributing the ball accurately. He typically plays with his right foot, which he uses for both passing and crossing. Tactically, he is astute, understanding when to push forward and when to hold his position. He adapts well to different defensive schemes, whether in a back four or a back three, showcasing his intelligence and versatility. His energetic style can be compared to players like Giovanni Di Lorenzo or Dani Carvajal, who combine defensive solidity with significant attacking output.
Achievements & honours
Josip Juranović has accumulated several team trophies and individual recognitions throughout his career, highlighting his impact at various clubs and on the international stage.
Club Honours
Juranović has been part of successful teams in multiple leagues, securing domestic titles and cups:
| Club | Competition | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Legia Warsaw | Ekstraklasa | 2020–21 |
| Celtic FC | Scottish Premiership | 2021–22 |
| Celtic FC | Scottish League Cup | 2021–22 |
International Achievements
On the international stage, Juranović has been a key component of the Croatia national team during significant campaigns:
- FIFA World Cup Runner-up: 2018 (though he did not feature in the final squad, he was part of the wider national team setup during the qualifying campaign)
- FIFA World Cup Third Place: 2022 (a prominent starter throughout the tournament)
His contribution to Croatia's third-place finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was particularly noteworthy, where he played a crucial role in the team's defensive stability and unexpected attacking bursts from the right flank (FIFA World Cup 2022).
International career
Josip Juranović's international career with the Croatia national team began in 2017, and he has since established himself as a prominent figure, particularly during major tournaments.
He made his senior debut for Croatia on January 14, 2017, in a friendly match against China. Initially, his appearances were somewhat sporadic, as he competed for a spot in a competitive national squad. However, his consistent club form eventually led to more regular call-ups.
Juranović gained significant recognition for his performances during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He started in all seven of Croatia's matches, playing a vital role in their journey to a third-place finish. His energetic displays, combining defensive solidity with adventurous attacking runs, were a highlight of Croatia's campaign. Notably, his performance against Brazil in the quarter-finals, where he effectively nullified Vinicius Jr. and contributed offensively, earned him widespread praise (FIFA.com).
He has also represented Croatia in the UEFA Nations League and during qualifying campaigns for the European Championship and World Cup, showcasing his versatility and reliability across different international competitions. As of May 2026, Juranović continues to be a key option for the national team at right-back, contributing with his experience and consistent level of performance.
What makes Josip Juranović stand out
Josip Juranović distinguishes himself through a combination of relentless work rate, tactical intelligence, and an unwavering commitment on the field. His ability to maintain a high level of performance across the full 90 minutes, both defensively and offensively, is a defining characteristic.
One of his standout traits is his exceptional stamina and engine, which allows him to continuously bomb up and down the right flank, providing width in attack and tracking back diligently to support his defense. This two-way capability makes him a valuable asset in modern football, where full-backs are increasingly required to contribute in both phases of play.
Furthermore, Juranović possesses a strong competitive spirit and leadership qualities, having captained Hajduk Split earlier in his career. This mental fortitude, combined with his tactical awareness, enables him to make crucial interventions and informed decisions in high-pressure situations, as demonstrated during Croatia's deep run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
"Juranović is a modern full-back who brings both defensive solidity and attacking impulse. His energy is infectious, and he never shies away from a challenge."