Josip Pivarić is a Croatian former professional footballer known for his role as a left-back.
He played for GNK Dinamo Zagreb from 2008 to 2017, becoming a key player for the club.
In 2017, Pivarić signed a three-year contract with Ukrainian club Dynamo Kyiv.
Biography
Early Life
Josip Pivarić is a Croatian former professional footballer, born into a culture where football is a significant part of life. He began his journey in the sport at a young age, joining the youth academy of GNK Dinamo Zagreb, one of Croatia's most prestigious clubs. His dedication and talent quickly propelled him through the ranks, leading to his promotion to the first team in 2008.
Club Career
Pivarić's professional career took off when he was loaned to NK Lokomotiva in 2008, where he made 13 appearances in his debut season. In January 2009, he signed a long-term contract with Dinamo Zagreb, returning to the club's senior squad in 2012. He made his senior debut on February 25, 2012, and scored his first goal for the team in April of the same year. Notably, he scored a historic goal against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League in 2015, contributing to a memorable victory. After a serious knee injury in 2016, he made a successful comeback and continued to play for Dinamo until 2017, when he signed with FC Dynamo Kyiv. Pivarić returned to Lokomotiva Zagreb in 2020 and played there until his retirement in July 2023.
International Career
Pivarić also had a significant international career, making his debut for the Croatia national team in 2013. He was part of the squad that reached the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, earning 26 caps throughout his international career. His contributions were particularly vital during the tournament, as he stepped in during crucial matches when the first-choice left-back faced injuries.
Legacy
Throughout his career, Pivarić achieved numerous accolades, including multiple domestic league titles and cups with Dinamo Zagreb, as well as a runner-up finish in the 2018 World Cup with Croatia. His impact on the field and his dedication to the sport have left a lasting legacy in Croatian football.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Dinamo Zagreb
Pivarić joined the Dinamo Zagreb youth academy at a young age. He was promoted to the first team during the spring of 2008. He went out on loan to Dinamo feeder club Lokomotiva Zagreb that same year, making 13 appearances in his first season with the Lokosi. In January 2009, he signed a seven-and-a-half-year contract with Dinamo Zagreb, spending until the end of the 2011–12 season on loan at Lokomotiva. In January 2012, Pivarić rejoined the senior squad at Dinamo. He made his senior debut for Dinamo on 25 February 2012, in a 0–3 win over Karlovac. His first goal for the Modri came in a 1–1 draw with Rijeka on 21 April 2012. Pivarić scored a historic goal for Dinamo in September 2015, the opening goal in a famous 2–1 victory over Arsenal in the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League. In a friendly match against Norwegian side Strømsgodset in January 2016, Pivarić sustained extensive ligament damage to his knee, forcing him out for the remainder of the 2015–16 season and missing out on probable UEFA Euro 2016 national team selection. Pivarić made his return on 6 July 2016, in a 1–0 pre-season friendly victory over Copenhagen.
Dynamo Kyiv
On 8 August 2017, Pivarić signed a three-year contract with Ukrainian club Dynamo Kyiv.
Lokomotiva Zagreb
On 1 October 2020, Pivarić returned club Lokomotiva Zagreb as a free transfer.
Retirement
On 1 July 2023, Pivarić announced his retirement from football aged 34.
Pivarić made his international debut for the Croatia national football team on 14 August 2013, in a 3–2 win over Liechtenstein in Vaduz. In May 2018 he was named in Croatia's preliminary 32 man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Throughout the tournament Ivan Strinić, Croatia's first choice left back, was battling injuries mostly due to his team playing three consecutive extra time matches to get to the final. This allowed Pivarić a great deal of playtime in Croatia's run to the 2018 World Cup Final. He earned a total of 26 caps, scoring no goals. His final international was an October 2018 friendly against Jordan.
Club
As of the match played on 1 July 2023
International
As of 15 October 2018
- Club
- NK Lokomotiva (2008–2012)
- Club
- Croatia national under-17 football team (2005–2005)
- Club
- Croatia national under-19 football team (2007–2008)
- Club
- Croatia national under-20 football team (2008–2008)
- Club
- Croatia men's national football team (2013–)
- National team
- Croatia
- Club
- GNK Dinamo Zagreb (2008–2017)
- Club
- FC Dynamo Kyiv (2017–)
Legacy
Dinamo Zagreb
HNL: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014-15, 2015-16 Croatian Cup: 2011-12, 2014-15, 2015-16 Croatian Super Cup: 2013 Dynamo Kyiv
Ukrainian Cup: 2019-20 Ukrainian Super Cup: 2019 Croatia
FIFA World Cup runner-up: 2018 Orders
Order of Duke Branimir: 2018
Clubs
Played together with
Aderinsola Habib EseolaFC Dynamo Kyiv · 2009–2010
Admir MehmediFC Dynamo Kyiv · 2012–2014- Adrian ŠemperGNK Dinamo Zagreb
Akhrik TsveibaFC Dynamo Kyiv · 1990–1993- Albin PelakGNK Dinamo Zagreb · 2003–2004
Aleksandar DragovićFC Dynamo Kyiv · 2013–2016- Aleksandar ŽivkovićCroatia men's national football team · 1940–1940
Aleksandr FilimonovFC Dynamo Kyiv · 2001–2001
Aleksandre AmisulashviliFC Dynamo Kyiv · 2003–2005- Alen BokšićCroatia men's national football team · 1993–2002
Alen HalilovićCroatia men's national football team · 2013–2019- Alen HalilovićCroatia national under-17 football team · 2012–2013
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Josip Pivarić is a Croatian former professional footballer who played as a left-back.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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