Igor Bišćan

Football player infobox
playername = Igor Bišćan


fullname =
height = 1.90 cm
weight = 84 kg
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1978|5|4

cityofbirth = Zagreb
countryofbirth = SFR Yugoslavia
position = Defender / Defensive midfielder
currentclub = Dinamo Zagreb
clubnumber = 22
youthyears =
youthclubs = Dinamo Zagreb
years = 1997–1998
1997–1998
1998–2000
2000–2005
2005–2007
2007–
clubs = Dinamo Zagreb
→ NK Samobor (loan)
Dinamo Zagreb
Liverpool
Panathinaikos Dinamo Zagreb
caps(goals) = 05 0(0)
12 0(1)
67 (11)
72 0(2)
36 0(3)
10 0(0)
nationalyears = 1999
1999–2001
nationalteam = Croatia B
Croatia
nationalcaps(goals) = 01 0(0)
15 0(1)
pcupdate = July 27, 2008
ntupdate = December 3, 2007 Igor Bišćan (born May 4, 1978 in Zagreb, SR Croatia, Yugoslavia) is a Croatian football player, currently playing for Dinamo Zagreb. He played 15 games for Croatia, scoring one goal, though his international career has suffered from an incident in which he walked out of an international training camp, leading to a long-standing ban.

He is a versatile player being adept and defensive midfield and centre half. He is best known for passing.

At the start of his career Bišćan began to amass an impressive level of playing experience, representing Croatia at youth football level and then captaining his club, Dinamo Zagreb, in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup.

His contract was bought by Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier for £5.5 million in December 2000, [Cite news
title = Biscan is a £5.5m 'double risk'
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/1061319.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2000-12-08
accessdate = 2008-04-13] having been sought after by Juventus, Barcelona, Ajax and A.C. Milan. Biscan originally signed as a central midfielder but former boss Gerard Houllier felt he was a centre half and often played Bišćan out of position, even sometimes as a winger or full back, but most often as a centre back, where he played for 39 games in the 2003–04 season. His possible influence on the team was curtailed as a result.

However, under Rafael Benitez, though not an automatic choice for the first team, a major injury crisis of the team gave Biscan a chance, and he was much improved to fight back his position in midfield. He played a vital part in Liverpool's run to the final of the Champions League, and was notable particularly for his marauding runs from midfield during matches against Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Chelsea F.C.. He was an unused substitute against AC Milan but still ended up with a winners medal.

Bišćan made 118 appearances for Liverpool, and scored three goals. The first came in a Worthington Cup semi-final second leg against Crystal Palace at Anfield, which Liverpool won 5–0 on the night (having previously been 2–1 down after the first leg). The second came in a 4–2 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Liverpool came from 2–0 down to win 4–2. Biscan came on as a late substitute and scored with his second touch of the game. His third goal was a late winner in the 1–0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Anfield. During his time at Liverpool, Bišćan made himself a cult hero among the fans, particularly in his final European campaign.

Bišćan joined Greek side Panathinaikos in July 2005 after he was released by Liverpool. He left Panathinaikos after two years and signed a three and a half year contract with Dinamo Zagreb on December 3, 2007. He is now captain of the club following the departure of Luka Modrić to Tottenham Hotspur.

He has so far made 14 appearances for his new club, and has scored six goals, despite playing in defensive midfield.

Honours

*Croatian Champion: 1999, 2000, 2008
*Croatian Supercup: 1998
*Football League Cup: 2001, 2003; Runner-up 2005
*Charity Shield: 2001
*European Super Cup: 2001
*UEFA Champions League: 2005
*Croatian Cup: 2008; Runner-up 2000
*Greek Cup: Runner-up 2007

References

External links

* [http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/past_players/players/biscan/ Liverpool FC profile]
* [http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=267 Profile at LFCHistory.net]
*Soccerbase|17610|Igor Biscan UK