Mario Vrancic, who joined Stoke City in the summer of 2021, knows exactly what it takes to plot a route out of the Championship. After all, he has done it twice with Norwich City!
The 32-year-old midfielder was a key member of their 2018/19 title winning squad … and was very much in the thick of it as the Canaries did it again last season, making 34 appearances.
Although born in Brod, Croatia, Vrancic’s football journey began in Germany as he came through the youth system with Mainz before making his professional debut in 2006.
After a spell on loan with Rot Weiss Ahlen he joined Borussia Dortmund II in 2011 and went on to make almost 50 league appearances for them.
He joined Paderborn in 2012 and the following season he helped them secure promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in their history.
Darmstadt was his next port of call where his performances caught the eye of Norwich, who made a move to take him to East Anglia in the summer of 2017.
He wasted little time in making his mark with the Canaries, particularly during their run to promotion in 2019 when he contributed no fewer than 10 goals and seven assists.
He wasn’t as prolific in front of goal last season as Daniel Farke’s men secured the title once again but three goals and five assists still represents a significant contribution.
Vrancic is also no stranger to international football, having initially represented Germany at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-20 levels before then electing to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina at senior level alongside former Potters goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
