Branislav Ivanovic Bio Send To Friend  

A versatile defender, Ivanovic has emerged as a dependable player at Chelsea and one who will prove important for Serbia at the World Cup finals.

He is a former star of the Serbia & Montenegro and then Serbia Under-21 sides, captaining Serbia to the final of the 2007 European Under-21 Championship in which he was also named in UEFA's Team of the Tournament. He made his full international debut for 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 although never likely to be a star figure he proved his reliability in an auxiliary role either in the centre of defence or at right-back.

Strengths: Strong in the air, the tackle and a threat at set-pieces.

Weaknesses: Lacks pace, can lack concentration at times.

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.

Soccernet says: Ivanovic may be a bit-part player at club level, but for Serbia he is one of the very first names on the team-sheet. He will be an assured performer at the back for the World Cup debutants.