Ivanovic is an outstanding all-purpose defender, equally comfortable as a stopper or shuttling back and forth in the right-back slot.

He captaining Serbia to the final of the 2007 European Under-21 Championship, and he was also named in UEFA's Team of the Tournament. He made his full international debut for the former Serbia & Montenegro in the summer of 2005 in a friendly against Italy played in Canada.

Ivanovic played for FK Srem and OFK Beograd early in his career before being signed by Lokomotiv Moscow in 2006. It was with Lokomotiv that he cemented his place in the Serbia side.

He moved to Chelsea in January in 2008 in a transfer which largely went under the radar though the Russian club reported the deal was worth £9.7 million. He did not appear for the west London club until the 2008-09 campaign and he proved his reliability in an auxiliary role.

Ivanovic, a Premier League title winner in 2010, he started all three of Serbia's games in the World Cup finals in South Africa as they failed to make it out of their group. Strengths: Strong in the air, the tackle and a threat at set-pieces.

Weaknesses: Lacks pace and, at times, concentration.

Career high: Scoring twice against Liverpool at Anfield to help Chelsea through to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2008-09.

Career low: Losing out in the final of the 2007 European Under-21 Championships to hosts Holland.

Style: A versatile player who can fit in on the right of the defence or at centre back, Ivanovic is a dependable if not spectacular footballer.

Quotes: "When you join a club like Chelsea and then find it hard to get games, it can be tough but he has been determined in training and shown a good mentality." Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink after Ivanovic's double against Liverpool in April 2009.

Trivia: His father Rade was a former professional football at FK Srem, where Branislav began his career.