Stefan Tone Marinovic (, ; born 7 October 1991) is a New Zealand former professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.
Club career Born in New Zealand to Croatian parents,Marinovic attended Auckland private school, Kings College. In 2005, he won the New Zealand Nike Cup. In 2008, Marinovic was selected for the New Zealand under-19 schoolboys national team for its tour of Austria. He received trials from clubs such as Everton FC, FC Zürich and FC Schalke 04, but they all failed, and so he joined Waitakere United. He reached the national final with United, but they lost 6–0 to Canterbury.
In mid-2009, he graduated from the Wynton Rufer Soccer School of Excellence, created to help talented players earn trials overseas.
Marinovic was spotted by German club, SV Wehen Wiesbaden, in the 3. Liga at that time, and he signed a professional contract with them. He was the third choice goalkeeper during the 2010–11 season, and played with the U23 team. He made his professional debut for Wiesbaden on 27 April 2010 in an away game to league leaders Erzgebirge Aue when Marc Birkenbach was injured after 30 minutes. The game finished 2–2. When Michael Gurski was signed, he again became the third choice keeper, only being used for the U23 team.
In 2013, Marinovic left Wiesbaden and joined FC Ismaning and then 1860 Munich reserves, making one appearance at each club. In 2014, Marinovic signed with German Regionalliga club SpVgg Unterhaching, playing an important role in their promotion to the 3. Liga in his final season.
On 21 July 2017, Marinovic signed with MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC after impressing with the national team. He was released by Vancouver at the end of their 2018 season.
On 7 March 2019, Marinovic signed for EFL Championship side Bristol City until the end of the 2018–19 season, covering for injured goalkeepers Frank Fielding and Niki Mäenpää. He was released by Bristol City at the end of the 2018–19 season.
On 6 June 2019, Marinovic signed a two-year contract with A-League club Wellington Phoenix.
International career In 2011, Marinovic made two appearances for the New Zealand U20 national team at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia.
On 8 March 2015, Marinovic was called into the senior New Zealand national team to play a friendly against South Korea by coach Anthony Hudson. He made his debut in the match in Seoul on 31 March, playing the full 90 minutes, and has since established himself as the No.1 stopper for New Zealand. On his debut, he conceded a penalty kick, but saved it, eventually conceding the only goal of the game by Lee Jae-sung in the 86th minute.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSV Wehen Wiesbaden2009–103. Liga200000202010–1100000000Total20000020SV Wehen Wiesbaden II2009–10Regionalliga Süd15000001502010–1111000001102011–12Hessenliga1000000100Total3600000360FC Ismaning2012–13Regionalliga Bayern100000101860 Munich II2013–14Regionalliga Bayern10000010SpVgg Unterhaching II2014–15Bayernliga Süd80000080SpVgg Unterhaching2014–153. Liga900000902015–16Regionalliga Bayern31030003402016–173001000310Total7004000740Vancouver Whitecaps FC2017Major League Soccer8000008020182404000280Total3204000360Bristol City2018–19Championship10000010Wellington Phoenix2019–20A-League27010002802020–2160000060Total3301000340Hapoel Nof HaGalil2021–22Israeli Premier League2800040320Hapoel Tel Aviv2022–23Israeli Premier League18000—180TSV Grünwald2024–25Bayernliga Süd100—30130Career total212090402250
Honours SpVgg Unterhaching Regionalliga Bayern: 2016–17
New Zealand U20 OFC U-20 Championship: 2011 OFC U-20 Championship
New Zealand OFC Nations Cup: 2016
Individual OFC Nations Cup Golden Glove: 2016 IFFHS OFC Men's Team of the Decade 2011–2020 IFFHS Oceania Men's Team of All Time: 2021
References
External links