Stjepan Lončar (; born 10 November 1996) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Super League club Persija Jakarta.
Club career
Early career Lončar came through Široki Brijeg's youth academy, which he joined in 2003. He made his professional debut against Vitez on 24 July 2016 at the age of 19. On 20 September 2017, he scored his first professional goal against Radnik Bijeljina, which sent his team through in their cup tie.
Rijeka In June 2018, Lončar signed a three-year deal with Croatian side Rijeka. He made his official debut for the squad on 3 August against Inter Zaprešić. On 10 February 2019, he scored his first goal for Rijeka against the same opponent. He won his first trophy with the club on 22 May, by beating Dinamo Zagreb in the Croatian Cup final. On 3 March 2021, he played his 100th game for the team against Osijek.
Ferencváros In July, Lončar was transferred to Hungarian outfit Ferencváros for an undisclosed fee. He made his competitive debut for the side against Kisvárda on 31 July. On 19 September, he scored his first goal for Ferencváros in a Magyar Kupa match against Hatvan.
Seven weeks later, he scored his first league goal in a triumph over Kisvárda. He won his first title with the club on 24 April 2022, when they were crowned league champions. In September, Lončar was sent on a season-long loan to Belgian team Kortrijk. In July 2023, he was loaned to Kazakh side Astana until the end of the season.
Lech Poznań On 6 September 2024, Lončar moved to Polish club Lech Poznań on a contract until June 2025. He debuted officially for the team on 14 September in a 5–0 win over Jagiellonia, and provided an assist to Lech's fourth goal.
Istra 1961 On 3 February 2025, after being left out of Lech's roster for the winter training camp, Lončar returned to Croatia to join Istra 1961 on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
International career Lončar represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at various youth levels.
In January 2018, he received his first senior call-up, for friendly games against the United States and Mexico. He debuted against the latter on 31 January. Lončar retired from international football on 30 November 2023.
Personal life Lončar married his long-time girlfriend Stela in January 2025. His father Robert was also a professional footballer.
Career statistics
Club
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsŠiroki Brijeg2016–17Bosnian Premier League23070003002017–18Bosnian Premier League2534140334Total48311140634Rijeka2018–19Croatian Football League27241003132019–20Croatian Football League31451414062020–21Croatian Football League3123081423Total89812212211312Ferencváros2021–22Nemzeti Bajnokság I19251803232022–23Nemzeti Bajnokság I100020302023–24Nemzeti Bajnokság I1253000155Total32781100508Kortrijk (loan)2022–23Belgian Pro League22030—250Astana (loan)2023Kazakhstan Premier League7000111181Lech Poznań2024–25Ekstraklasa2010—30Lech Poznań II2024–25III liga, group II1000—10Istra 19612024–25Croatian Football League14520—1652025–26Croatian Football League33300—333Total47820—498Persija Jakarta2026–27Super League1000—10Career total2492637437332333
International +Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBosnia and Herzegovina201820201920202040202130Total110
Honours Široki Brijeg Bosnian Cup: 2016–17
Rijeka Croatian Cup: 2018–19, 2019–20
Ferencváros Nemzeti Bajnokság I: 2021–22, 2023–24 Magyar Kupa: 2021–22
Persija Jakarta Piala Presiden third place: 2026
References
External links