Mateo Hrvatsko Poljak (Croatian pronunciation: [matěo poʎaːk]; born 10 September 1989) is a Croatian footballer who last played as a defensive midfielder for Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

Mateo Poljak
Poljak with Western Sydney Wanderers in 2013
Personal information
Full name Mateo Hrvatsko Poljak[1]
Date of birth (1989-09-10) 10 September 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Zagreb, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Youth career
2000–2008 Dinamo Zagreb
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2009 Lokomotiva Zagreb 26 (8)
2010–2012 Dinamo Zagreb 0 (0)
2010–2012Lokomotiva Zagreb (loan) 60 (4)
2012–2015 Western Sydney Wanderers 66 (3)
2015–2017 Newcastle Jets 50 (3)
2017 Astra Giurgiu 3 (0)
2018 Marconi 15 (2)
2019–2019 Sutherland Sharks 18 (1)
2020 Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0 (0)
International career
2005–2008 Croatia U19 8 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 December 2020
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11 September 2009

Club career

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Croatia

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After going through the youth ranks of Dinamo Zagreb, Poljak was moved to their feeder team Lokomotiva Zagreb, then playing in the Druga HNL. After a season there he signed a 7-year contract with the club, which was taken over by Dinamo at the beginning of 2010. He spent the next two and a half seasons on loan at Lokomotiva, however, before his contract was terminated in the summer of 2012.

Western Sydney Wanderers

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On 13 August 2012 it was announced that Poljak had signed with the newly formed A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers.[2] He signed an initial two-year contract, set to expire in July 2014. In his first season with Western Sydney, he made 25 appearances, a mainstay of the side's midfield, scoring one goal and helping the Wanderers win the A-League premiership in the club's first season. On 5 September 2013, Poljak signed a two-year extension with the club, the new contract ending mid 2016.[3]

Poljak again in his second season with Western Sydney was a constant starter throughout with his side finishing the league in second position. He was also a part of the side that won the 2014 AFC Champions League, later going on to compete in the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup.

Newcastle Jets

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In 2015, Poljak was not retained by the Wanderers and joined Newcastle United Jets FC.

Personal life

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Poljak is married to Katarina, and has a daughter, Mia.[4]

Career statistics

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As of 1 November 2014
Club performance League Cup Continental Total
Club Season League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Croatia League Croatian Cup Europe Total
Lokomotiva Zagreb 2008–09[5] Druga HNL 26 8 26 8
2009–10[6] Prva HNL 13 2 13 2
2010–11[6] 23 0 0 0 23 0
2011–12[6] 24 2 24 2
Total 86 12 0 0 0 0 86 12
Australia League1 FFA Cup Asia2 Total
Western Sydney Wanderers 2012–13[7] A-League 25 1 25 1
2013–14[7] 22 1 6 1 28 2
2014–15[7] 2 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
Total 49 2 1 0 6 1 56 3
Career total 135 14 1 0 6 1 142 15

1 – includes A-League final series statistics
2AFC Champions League statistics are included in season ending during group stages (i.e. ACL 2014 and A-League season 2013–2014 etc.)

Honours

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Western Sydney Wanderers

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2014: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 15 December 2014. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 July 2015.
  2. ^ "Wanderers sign Croatian duo - Football Australia 2011". Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Poljak Pledges Future With Wanderers". Football Federation Australia. 5 September 2013. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013.
  4. ^ Gardiner, James (26 April 2017). "A-League: Poljak future uncertain after hold up with Australian citizenship". The Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  5. ^ "Mateo Poljak career statistics". Nogometni Magazin.
  6. ^ a b c Mateo Poljak at Soccerway
  7. ^ a b c "Mateo Poljak (Western Sydney Wanderers)". Ultimate A-League.
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