After leaving Celtic in 2020, Jozo Simunovic has remained unattached to any team in professional football, check here what he is doing now.
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Who is Jozo Simunovic?
Jozo Šimunović, born on August 4, 1994, is a talented Croatian professional footballer. He has primarily played as a center back for various clubs, including Dinamo Zagreb and most recently for Prva HNL club Gorica.
Šimunović’s journey in professional football began when he made his debut for Dinamo Zagreb on March 16, 2013, during a match against Istra 1961. Although he started as a substitute in the 90th minute, it marked the beginning of his career at a prominent club. On March 30, 2013, he scored his first goal for Dinamo against Zadar, showcasing his defensive prowess as well as his occasional attacking contributions.
One of the highlights of his time at Dinamo Zagreb was his performance in the 2015 Croatian Cup Final. He played the full match as Dinamo emerged victorious in a thrilling 4-2 win on penalties against RNK Split.
After his successful stint with Dinamo Zagreb, Šimunović moved on to join Prva HNL club Gorica. However, as of the most recent available information, he was no longer playing for Gorica, indicating that his professional football journey has encountered changes.
It’s worth noting that player movements in the football world are common, and players may switch clubs for various reasons such as contracts expiring, transfers, or other opportunities. As Šimunović’s situation is dynamic and may have evolved after my last knowledge update in September 2021, it’s recommended to check the latest sources for the most current information about his career status.
What Happened to Celtic Invincible Jozo Simunovic?
In Rodgers’ inaugural season as manager at Celtic, there was a prevailing belief that Jozo Simunovic would depart for Torino. However, to everyone’s surprise, he flourished and developed a formidable partnership with Dedryck Boyata. Their defensive collaboration played a crucial role as Celtic achieved the remarkable feat of sealing the Invincible Treble that season.
Fast forward seven years from that successful season, and Jozo Simunovic finds himself without a club. After leaving Celtic in 2020, he has remained unattached to any team in professional football. This unexpected turn in his career raises questions about the reasons behind his current status and what might lie ahead for the talented defender
Celtic Invincible Jozo Simunovic
Brendan Rodgers’ return to Celtic has brought back memories of the successful period during his first tenure at Celtic Park, and one player who played a vital role in that success was Jozo Šimunović.
The Croatian defender joined Celtic from Dinamo Zagreb in 2015, taking on the challenge of filling the void left by Virgil Van Dijk’s departure to Southampton. Initially, it seemed likely that Šimunović would leave for Torino when Rodgers took over as manager, but he proved his worth and formed a strong partnership with Dedryck Boyata. Their defensive prowess played a significant role in Celtic’s historic achievement of winning the Invincible Treble that season.
Fast forward seven years, and Šimunović finds himself without a club since leaving Celtic in 2020. Back in 2017, he signed a contract extension for four years, and it was expected that the club would exercise the option for the fourth year due to his impressive performances. However, Celtic decided to part ways with the player to make room for Shane Duffy’s arrival, a decision that, in hindsight, may have been regrettable as Šimunović’s current unattached status suggests long-term injury issues might have played a part.
Despite leaving the club, Šimunović will be remembered fondly for his impactful tackle on Kenny Miller during the memorable 5-1 victory at Ibrox in April 2017. During his time at Celtic, he was a key contributor to the team’s success, winning five Premiership titles and several other trophies. Though injuries may have led to the decision to bring in new defenders, he served the club loyally.
Recently, Šimunović attended an event for Scott Brown and Mikel Lustig at the Hydro, speaking warmly about his time at the club. His humble nature was evident as he attended the event as a supporter rather than a guest. Currently, he is pursuing studies in football executive management and coaching, looking to build a new career path in the sport he loves.
Jozo Simunovic at Celtic
On September 1, 2015, Jozo Šimunović made a move to Scottish Premiership side Celtic from Dinamo Zagreb for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut for Celtic in a Europa League match against Ajax on September 17, 2015, which ended in a 2-2 draw, and he impressed with his performance. However, an ankle injury shortly after his debut and the team’s inconsistent form hindered his progress at the club.
Despite the setbacks, Šimunović managed to score his first goal for Celtic in a 4-1 victory over Dundee United on January 15, 2016. Unfortunately, a knee ligament injury a week later kept him out of action for around six weeks, but he was eventually ruled out for the rest of the season to ensure proper recovery.
During the summer transfer window in 2016, there were rumors linking Šimunović to Torino, but he denied those speculations on his Twitter account, stating his commitment to Celtic. Despite the transfer talks, he stayed with Celtic and returned to action in September 2016, forming a solid defensive partnership with Erik Sviatchenko. The duo contributed to a run of nine clean sheets for the team.
In November 2016, Šimunović played a key role in Celtic’s 3-0 victory over Aberdeen in the Scottish League Cup Final, assisting in the opening goal. He expressed his delight at being part of the historic 100th trophy win for the club. In March 2017, he scored a crucial goal in a 2-1 away win against Dundee, helping Celtic maintain their significant lead in the league.
Recognizing his contributions, Celtic rewarded Šimunović with a new contract in September 2017, which was set to expire in the summer of 2020, with an option for a one-year extension. He continued to make significant impacts for the team, particularly in a match following the passing of Celtic legend Billy McNeill, where he scored the winning goal, dedicating it to McNeill’s memory.
However, in September 2019, Šimunović suffered a knee injury, which likely affected his playing time and performances. Eventually, Celtic announced on May 30, 2020, that Šimunović would be leaving the club after the expiration of his contract in the summer of 2020. His time at Celtic was marked by memorable moments and valuable contributions to the team’s success during his stay.
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Categories: General
Source: HIS Education