Nikica Jelavić

Profile Football Stars | Nikica Jelavić | He started his career with Prva HNL side Hajduk Split in 2002, before moving to the Belgian Pro League club Zulte Waregem in 2007.  For the 2008-09 season played for the Austrian Jelavić champions Rapid Vienna. In the Austrian Bundesliga he played 24 games (as a first squad in 9 and as substitute in 15) and scored seven goals without any yellow or red cards. In the Europa League, he played six games and scored four goals with one assist. In the summer of 2010 Jelavić was linked with a transfer to Rangers. On 19 August, Rapid Announced That Jelavić would be signing for Rangers, after the player Announced he would not play in Rapid's Europa League qualifying match against Aston Villa.

On 20 August 2010 Jelavić completed a £ 4 million move to Rangers on a four-year-deal. Due to his former club Rapid Vienna eliminating Aston Villa from the Europa League, Jelavić was ineligible to Participate in the Rangers' Champions League campaign, after Becoming cup tied after Appearing for the Austrian side in the Earlier rounds . Johnstone on 27 February 2011, scored two goals Jelavić and assisted a third with a back heel pass. On 20 March 2011, scored the winning goal Jelavić in extra time in the Rangers' 2-1 win over Celtic in the 2011 Scottish League Cup Final. Jelavić received the SFA goal of the season award for his goal against Aberdeen.  Jelavić scored his first European goal for Rangers on 3 August 2011 in a 1-1 draw against Malmo in a UEFA Champions League qualifying game. On 5 November 2011 Jelavić scored his first brace of the season Helping Rangers a 3-1 victory to over Dundee United. Jelavić scored another two goals in a 2-0 win over Hibernian on 10 December 2011.

On 10 March 2012, scored his first goal Jelavić for Everton in his first start for the club, scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park . Jelavić scored his first brace for Everton against Norwich City in a 2-2 draw at Carrow Road in the Premier League. On 14 April, Jelavić scored the opener in the FA Cup Semi-Final against local rivals Everton Liverpool at Wembley the which went on to lose 2-1. On 22 April, Jelavić scored his second brace for Everton, as he scored the opener and the third goal at Old Trafford against Manchester United, in a pulsating 4-4 draw.

Jelavić eventually made his full international debut in a friendly match against Oman on 8 October 2009 in Rijeka, coming on as a substitute for Ivan Klasnic in the 64th minute in the which he also netted his first international goal to secure his team a 3-2 win in the final moments of the match.

Personal information
Full name Nikica Jelavić
Date of birth 27 August 1985 (age 26)
Place of birth Capljina, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position Striker

Club information
Current club Everton
Number 7

Youth career
1999-2001 GOŠK Gabela
2001-2002 Neretva
Hajduk Split 2002-2005

Senior career
years Team
Hajduk Split 2002-2007 35 (8)
2007-2008 Zulte Waregem 23 (3)
2008-2010 Rapid Vienna 71 (27)
2010-2012 Rangers 45 (30)
2012-Everton 9 (6)

National team
2002 Croatia U17 2 (0)
2003 Croatia U18 2 (0)
2009-Croatia 18 (7)

Honours

Club
     Rangers
         Scottish Premier League: 2010-11
         Scottish League Cup: 2011

     Everton
         FA Cup Player of the Round: Sixth Round 2011-12