Niko Kranjcar Bio Send To Friend  

Tottenham snapped up Niko Kranjcar from Portsmouth on September 1, 2009, after fellow Croatian Luka Modric suffered a broken leg in Spurs' final match before the summer transfer window slammed shut.

Krancjar was reunited with former Pompey boss Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane for an undisclosed fee.

The Zagreb-born attacking midfielder originally signed for Portsmouth from Hajduk Split on transfer deadline day in August 2006 for a fee of around £3.5million.

Hailed as the next Robert Prosinecki, the Croatian international was eased into Premier League action, not making his debut until October. He went on to have a productive first season, scoring twice after making 11 starts and 12 appearances from the bench.

Boasting a deceptively quick turn of pace, the skill to beat a man, an ability to cross and a ready shot Kranjcar is tipped for big things.

The lively left-sided attacking winger established himself as a regular starter in his second season, with a string of impressive performances and an FA Cup winners' medal to show for his efforts.

A hugely talented creative midfielder began his career with Dinamo Zagreb, becoming he the club's youngest-ever captain at the age of just 17 and reportedly attracted the interest of clubs including AC Milan, Inter, Barcelona and Liverpool.

Kranjcar has represented the Croatian national team right through the youth squads and Under-21s before securing a place in the full squad after Croatia's disappointing Euro 2004 campaign.

As the national team was then managed by his father, Croatian footballing legend Zlatko Kranjcar, he initially faced accusations of nepotism, but his performances soon won the fans round and he cemented himself as the natural leader of the side on the pitch. He went to represent Croatia in the 2006 World Cup and at Euro 2008.

A disagreement with the Dinamo Zagreb management in early 2005 saw him make a surprise move to Dinamo's biggest rival, Hajduk Split - who he helped to win the Croatian title in his first season.

In August 2006 Kranjcar was linked with a move to Rennes, but Portsmouth trumped their interest with a bid of £3.5million.