Mario Vrančić (; born 23 May 1989) is a Bosnian former professional footballer who most recently played as a midfielder for German Regionalliga club Eintracht Frankfurt II. He is the current sporting director of VfR Mannheim.

Vrančić started his professional career at Mainz 05, playing mainly in its reserve team. In 2009, he was sent on loan to Rot Weiss Ahlen. Two years later, he joined Borussia Dortmund II. The following year, he moved to SC Paderborn. Vrančić switched to Darmstadt 98 in 2015. In 2017, he was transferred to Norwich City. Four years later, Vrančić signed with Stoke City, who loaned him to Rijeka in 2022. In 2023, he signed with Rijeka, who then loaned him to Sarajevo.

A former German youth international, Vrančić made his senior international debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015, earning 6 caps until 2017.

Club career Early career Vrančić started playing football at a local club, before joining youth academy of Mainz 05 in 2004. He made his professional debut with Mainz 05 II in 2006 at the age of 17. In June 2009, he was sent on a season-long loan to Rot Weiss Ahlen.

In January 2011, he moved to Borussia Dortmund II.

SC Paderborn In May 2012, Vrančić signed a two-year deal with SC Paderborn. He made his official debut for the team on 3 August against Hertha BSC. On 11 August, he scored a brace in a triumph over VfL Bochum, which were his first goals for the side.

Vrančić was instrumental in SC Paderborn's first ever promotion to Bundesliga, which was sealed on 11 May 2014. He scored 5 goals and added 9 assists. The following day, he signed a new two-year contract with the team.

Darmstadt 98 In June 2015, Vrančić was transferred to Darmstadt 98 for an undisclosed fee. He made his competitive debut for the club in DFB-Pokal game against TuS Erndtebrück on 7 August. Two weeks later, he made his league debut against Schalke 04. On 12 March 2016, he scored his first goal for Darmstadt 98 against FC Augsburg.

Norwich City In June 2017, Vrančić joined English outfit Norwich City on a three-year deal. He debuted officially for the team on 5 August against Fulham. On 19 September, he scored a brace in EFL Cup game against Brentford, his first goals for the side. Six months later, he scored his first league goal in a defeat of Reading.

Vrančić was an important piece in Norwich City's conquest of Championship title, his first trophy with the club, which was secured on 5 May 2019 and earned them promotion to Premier League. He had an impact of 10 goals and 7 assists. In July, he extended his contract until June 2021.

Vrančić scored his first Premier League goal against Tottenham Hotspur on 28 December. He played his 100th game for the side in a loss to Manchester City on 26 July 2020.

Stoke City In July 2021, Vrančić moved to Stoke City on a one-year deal. He made his debut on 7 August 2021 in a 3–2 victory against Reading. On 25 September 2021, he scored his first goal for Stoke against Hull City. He scored in victories over Peterborough United and Queens Park Rangers. In May 2022, he signed a one-year contract extension. Vrančić made 35 appearances for Stoke in 2021–22 as the team finished in 14th position.

Rijeka On 18 June 2022, Vrančić signed for Croatian side Rijeka on loan for the 2022–23 season. He permanently signed for Rijeka in February 2023, being afterwards loaned to Bosnian Premier League side Sarajevo.

Eintracht Frankfurt II On 11 June 2024, Vrančić signed with Regionalliga Südwest club Eintracht Frankfurt II.

International career Despite representing Germany at various youth levels, with whom he won the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship, Vrančić decided to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina at senior level.

In June 2015, his request to change sports citizenship from German to Bosnian was approved by FIFA. Subsequently, he received his first senior call-up in August 2015, for UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers against Belgium and Andorra. He debuted against the latter on 6 September.

Personal life Vrančić's older brother Damir is also a professional footballer.

Career statistics Club

+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMainz 05 II2006–07Oberliga Südwest10———102007–08Oberliga Südwest139———1392008–09Regionalliga West197———1972010–11Regionalliga West120———120Total4516———4516Mainz 052006–07Bundesliga1000——102007–082. Bundesliga5010——602008–092. Bundesliga3000——30Total9010——100Rot Weiss Ahlen (loan)2009–102. Bundesliga12000——120Borussia Dortmund II2010–11Regionalliga West152———1522011–12Regionalliga West3214———3214Total4716———4716SC Paderborn2012–132. Bundesliga33510——3452013–142. Bundesliga30510——3152014–15Bundesliga30210——312Total931230——9612Darmstadt 982015–16Bundesliga22230——2522016–17Bundesliga23420——254Total45650——506Norwich City2017–18Championship3511032—3932018–19Championship36100020—38102019–20Premier League2012010—2312020–21Championship3231010—343Total123154072—13417Stoke City2021–22Championship3032030—3532022–23Championship000000—00Total3032030—353Rijeka (loan)2022–23Prva HNL13110—10151Sarajevo (loan)2022–23Bosnian Premier League141———141Sarajevo2023–24Bosnian Premier League8000—20100Total22100—20241Eintracht Frankfurt II2024–25Regionalliga Südwest142———142Career total441721601023047074

International

+Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBosnia and Herzegovina201510201630201720Total60

Honours Norwich City Championship: 2018–19, 2020–21

Germany U19 UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2008

References

External links