Tomislav Mrčela (;- born 1 October 1990) is an Australian professional soccer player who last played as a defender for Croatian Third League club Kamen Ivanbegovina.
Club career
Mrcela left Australia at a young age and joined the youth academy of Dalmatian side RNK Split. He left Split in 2009 to join Jadran Kaštel Sućurac, a third division side at the time, and later signed for NK Primorac 1929 in 2010.
In mid 2011, Tomislav joined NK Imotski. Despite being just 20 years of age, Mrcela was immediately a starter. Missing just one game all season, Mrcela made 29 appearances and scored a further three goals. Mrcela continued his good form into the next season and missed just one further game by January 2013. His good form led to a move to fellow second division side NK Mosor where he played out the remainder of the 2012–13 season.
After good performances at Mosor, he moved to top division side NK Hrvatski Dragovoljac. Initially Mrcela struggled, making just four appearances in the first twelve rounds but then became a mainstay in the starting XI. Unfortunately his side were relegated by the end of the season but Mrcela did enough to convince ambitious Zagreb side NK Lokomotiva to keep him in the first division by signing him on a four-year dealSoccerway profile- NK Lokomotiva: Tomislav Mrcela novi je igrač Lokomotive!
Mrcela scored his first goal for Lokomotiva on debut in a 5–2 loss against HNK Hajduk Split.
On 28 June 2016, Mrcela transferred to South Korean club Jeonnam Dragons.
On 14 June 2018, Mrcela left Jeonnam Dragons to join Australian A-League club Perth Glory on a two-year deal. During his stay at the club, he won the A-League and contributed massively to the team's success.
On 14 September 2021, Mrcela joined Indian Super League club SC East Bengal on a one-year deal. He scored his first goal for the club on 12 December in a 1–1 draw against Kerala Blasters.ISL 2021-22: Mrcela, Vazquez goals leads to 1-1 draw between SC East Bengal and Kerala Blasters. sportstar.thehindu.com. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021. He was later replaced by Nepali defender Ananta Tamang as their sole AFC Quota.
On 17 February 2022, he moved back to Australia signing with Western Sydney Wanderers until the end of the 2021–22 A-League Men season as an injury replacement player for captain Rhys Williams. After making 12 appearances, Mrcela signed a two-year contract extension with the club.
Mrcela scored his first goal for the Wanderers on 15 October 2022 in a 1-0 win against Melbourne Victory. After helping the club to their first finals appearance in 6 years, Mrcela left the club to join Uzbek side Neftchi Fergana.
International career Holding dual citizenship, Mrcela is eligible to play for either Croatia or Australia. On 10 June 2015, he was named in a 23-man squad for Australia before two 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Kyrgyzstan.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsImotski2011–12Druga HNL27300—2732012–1314000—140Total4130000413Mosor2012–13Druga HNL12100—121Total1210000121Hrvatski Dragovoljac2013–14Prva HNL27200—272Total2720000272Lokomotiva Zagreb2014–15Prva HNL30130—3312015–162012040261Total5025040592Jeonnam Dragons2016K League 121000—210201728320—30320182000—20Total5132000533Perth Glory2018–19A-League12000—1202019–201821110203Total3021110323East Bengal2021–22Indian Super League9100—91Western Sydney Wanderers2021–22A-League12000—120Career total23214815024515
Honours Perth Glory A-League Premiers: 2018–19Perth Glory claim their first Hyundai A-League Premiership A-League official. Retrieved 10 September 2021
References
External links