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Mark Viduka

Mark started his career in Australia with the Melbourne Knights in 1993 and became an Australian international in the same year. During his two year stint with Melbourne Knights he was the top scorer in the Australian league. Mark, infact, had become such a popular player at Melbourne Knights that when he departed for Dinamo Zagreb in 1995 the club renamed the grandstand of their stadium the Mark Viduka stand.

Mark spent three and a half years with Croatia Zagreb, helping the club to win three doubles in Croatia as well as representing them in the Champions League and UEFA Cup. Incidentally, during Mark's spell at Dinamo they lose a Champions League qualifier to Newcastle United.

He was purhcased by Celtic in 1998 butnthen stunned football by announcing that he had quit in the first month, without having even kicked a ball, Dinamo also complained that a fee had not been received, all these issues were soon resolved and he went on to play 37 times for Celtic in two years. He did, however, incur the wrath of fans who criticised him for not given 100% effort in games.

On Thuesday 4th December 2007. Ian Wright claimed that during and Scottish Cup defeat at Inverness Caledonian Thistle an unnamed striker had refused to go out for the second half and criticised him for his lack of professionalism, saying he even himself came on as a sub for the striker, making it clear that it was Mark Viduka he spoke about.

Leeds paid £6million for Mark just before the 2000/2001 season where he formed a strike partnership with Alan Smith, he scored 22 goals in his first season at Elland Road. In 2002-2003 he scored another 22 goals but the clubs financial position saw him sold off to Middlesbrough a year later.

Viduka became impressive at Middlesbrough and was instrumental in the clubs 2005/2006 UEFA Cup campaign where they went all the way to the final, but lost to Sevilla. When Mark's contract was near expiracy manager Gareth Southgate gave him the number nine shirt, he scored another 19 goals the next season and Southgate offered him a new contract which he rejected to join rivals Newcastle United.

Ironically, Mark's first Newcastle goal came against his old side on their own ground as he received the ball, held off Jonathan Woodgate and blasted the ball past Mark Schwarzer.

 

 

 

Info

Full name: Marko Anthony Viduka
DOB: 9th October 1975
Place of Birth: Melbourne, Australia
Height: 6ft 2in
Position: Striker
Signed from: Middlesbrough
Date signed: 7th June 2007
Debut: 11th August 2007 v Bolton Wanderers

Facts

Mark has played with Alan Smith and James Milner at Leeds United.

Mark is the second cousin of Luka Modric.

Mark initially quit Celtic in the same month he joined the club from Dinamo Zagreb.