Australian · Melbourne · Born 9 October 1975Australian striker who captained the national team at the 2006 World Cup and became one of the most successful Australian footballers in European leagues.
Mark Antony Viduka was born on 9 October 1975 in Melbourne, Australia, to Croatian immigrant parents, and developed through the Australian Institute of Sport before beginning his professional career with Melbourne Knights, then known as Melbourne Croatia, in 1993. His performances quickly earned him a move to Croatia's Dinamo Zagreb in 1995, where he became one of the league's most prolific strikers. Viduka moved to Scotland's Celtic in 1998, scoring a hat-trick on his debut against Hibernian and quickly establishing himself as one of the finest strikers in Scottish football, before Leeds United signed him for a club-record fee in 2000. He spent four seasons at Elland Road, forming a formidable strike partnership and becoming a fan favourite for his combination of physical strength and delicate touch. Viduka later played for Middlesbrough and Newcastle United, extending a 16-year professional career spent almost entirely in Croatia, Scotland, and England. His four Champions League goals remain the most scored in the competition by an Australian player. Viduka captained Australia at the 2006 World Cup, helping the Socceroos reach the round of 16 — still, jointly, the country's best-ever World Cup performance — and is widely regarded as one of the greatest Australian footballers in history.
Leading Australia's attack at their first World Cup in 32 years (2006)
He scored four goals in one match for Leeds against Liverpool in 2000 in one of the most individually brilliant performances by a striker in Premier League history.
Did You Know?How They Played
Tall, physical striker with excellent hold-up play, clinical finishing and strong aerial ability
Lasting Impact
Australia's most successful striker of his generation who paved the way for Australian players in top European leagues
Career Honours
- Scottish Premier League 1998, 2000 (Celtic)
- Scottish Premier League 1998
- Scottish Premier League 2000
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Knights | 1993–1995 | £6m | — | 27 | #9 |
| Croatia Melbourne | 1995–1998 | £6m | 102 | 22 | #9 |
| Leeds United | 2000–2004 | £6m | 88 | 18 | #9 |
| Celtic | 1998–2000 | £6m | 72 | 12 | #9 |
| Middlesbrough | 2004–2007 | — | 87 | 24 | — |
| Newcastle United | 2007–2009 | — | 28 | 7 | — |
 Australia | — | — | 43 | 11 | — |
Australian Athletes