Stjepan Plazonja (born 2 January 1998), is a Croatian professional footballer who plays either as a winger or striker for Singapore Premier League club Hougang United.

Stjepan Plazonja
Personal information
Date of birth (1998-01-02) 2 January 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth Đakovo, Croatia
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 3+12 in)
Position(s) Winger / Striker
Team information
Current team
Hougang United
Number 9
Youth career
2012–2013 Cibalia
2013–2017 Osijek
2017 Dinamo Zagreb
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2018 Koper 1 (0)
2018–2019 Kustošija 18 (2)
2019–2021 Hermannstadt 15 (0)
2020 → Șelimbăr (loan) 0 (0)
2020–2021Politehnica Timișoara (loan) 26 (4)
2022 Concordia Chiajna 13 (0)
2023–2024 Bijelo Brdo 25 (4)
2023 Rudeš 4 (0)
2023–2024 Široki Brijeg 6 (0)
2024– Hougang United 10 (8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 August 2024

Club career

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Early career

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Plazonja started his football career with Cibalia at the age of 14 before moving to Osijek in 2013. After spending 5 years with Osijek, Plazonja was rewarded with a move to Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb on 20 February 2017 spending most of the times in the team academy.

Koper

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On 4 September 2017, Plazonja signed his first professional contract with Slovenian club Koper. He make his debut on 6 September coming on as a substitute during the 2017–18 Slovenian Football Cup Round of 16 tie against Triglav Kranj.

Kustošija

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On 10 August 2018, Plazonja moved back to Croatia to signed for Kustošija. In his second game for the club on 31 August, he scored his first professional career goal scoring the third goal for the team in a 3–2 win over Dugopolje. On 20 October, Plazonja scored the winning goal in the 79th minute in a 2–1 league win over Međimurje.

Hermannstadt

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On 5 September 2019, Plazonja signed with Romanian club Hermannstadt. He make his debut on 21 September in a goaless draw against Sepsi OSK.

Șelimbăr (loan)

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Plazonja then moved on loan to Șelimbăr on 12 February 2020 until the end of the season on 30 June 2020.

Politehnica Timișoara (loan)

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Plazonja was then loan to second division club Politehnica Timișoara on 27 August 2020.[1][2] He went on to score 4 goals in 28 appeareance in all competition for the club.

Concordia Chiajna

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On 29 January 2022, Plazonja signed for Romania club, Concordia Chiajna. He was released by the club on 31 July after making 13 appeareances for the club.

Bijelo Brdo

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On 14 September 2022, Plazonja returned to Croatia to signed for Bijelo Brdo. He went on to scored on his debut Solin in a 2–1 league win on 24 September.

Rudeš

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On 7 July 2023, Plazonja joined the Rudeš.[3] He make his club debut against Osijek on 30 July in a 3–4 lost.

Široki Brijeg

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On 8 September 2023, Plazonja signed for Bosnian club Široki Brijeg on a 2 years contract. However, he was released 6 months into his contract.[4][5]

Hougang United

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On 9 March 2024, Plazonja moved to Southeast Asia to signed with Singapore Premier League club Hougang United for the 2024–25 season. On 10 May 2024, he made his club debut in a 4–1 defeat to Lion City Sailors. He would then go on to make his second league appearance in a 1–0 defeat to Albirex Niigata (S) but was subbed out as he sustained a hamstring injury which made him unavailable for the club third league match against Tanjong Pagar United. On 14 June 2024, he returned from injury and was subbed on for Justin Hui, where he recorded his first league goal and assist in a 2–6 defeat to rival club Geylang International. [6] On 11 August 2024, he won a man of the match award in a 5-1 win against Tanjong Pagar United, where he recorded two goals and two assists. Plazonja clocked in an incredible 36.90km/h tying with former Real Madrid and Wales international footballer, Gareth Bale as the as the second world’s fastest player ahead of world renowned footballer Kylian Mbappé at 36.70km/h and behind Tottenham Hotspurs player, Micky van de Ven at 37.38km/h in a 1-0 win over the Eagles. [7]

Career Statistics

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Club

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As of 15 June 2024[8]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
NK Kustošija 2018–19 First Football League (Croatia) 18 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 2
Total 18 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 2
FC Hermannstadt 2019–20 Liga II 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
CSC 1599 Șelimbăr (loan) 2019–20 Liga II 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SSU Poli (loan) 2020–21 Liga II 26 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 4
Total 26 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 4
FC Hermannstadt 2021–22 Liga II 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
Total 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
CS Concordia Chiajna 2021–22 Liga II 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
Total 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
Bijelo Brdo 2022–23 First Football League (Croatia) 25 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 4
Total 25 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 4
NK Rudeš 2023–24 Croatian Football League 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Total 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
NK Široki Brijeg 2023–24 Premier League of BH 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Total 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Hougang United 2024–25 SPL 9 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6
Total 9 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6
Career total 112 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 112 16

References

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  1. ^ "Stjepan Plazonja signed for the Romanian first league team" [Stjepan Plazonja signed for the Romanian first league team]. nogometplus (in Croatian). 5 September 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  2. ^ "BINE AI VENIT, STJEPAN PLAZONJA!" [Welcome, Stjepan Plazonja!]. SS Politehnica Timișoara (in Romanian). 27 August 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  3. ^ Šola, Miro (4 July 2023). "Stjepan Plazonja is a new member of Rudeš!" [Stjepan Plazonja is a new member of Rudeš!]. DJSport (in Croatian). Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Na Pecaru stigao novi napadač: Plazonja potpisao za Široki Brijeg" [A new striker arrived at Pecar: Plazonja signed for Široki Brijeg]. Sport Centar (in Croatian). 12 September 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Stjepan Plazonja, the new striker of Široki Brijeg". Vrisak.info. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  6. ^ "HGFC welcome Stjepan Plazonja". Instagram. Hougang United. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  8. ^ Stjepan Plazonja at Soccerway