Stefan Marinovic

Stefan Tone Marinovic (, ; born 7 October 1991) is a New Zealand former professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.

Club career Born in New Zealand to Croatian parents,Marinovic attended Auckland private school, Kings College. In 2005, he won the New Zealand Nike Cup. In 2008, Marinovic was selected for the New Zealand under-19 schoolboys national team for its tour of Austria. He received trials from clubs such as Everton FC, FC Zürich and FC Schalke 04, but they all failed, and so he joined Waitakere United. He reached the national final with United, but they lost 6–0 to Canterbury.

In mid-2009, he graduated from the Wynton Rufer Soccer School of Excellence, created to help talented players earn trials overseas.

Marinovic was spotted by German club, SV Wehen Wiesbaden, in the 3. Liga at that time, and he signed a professional contract with them. He was the third choice goalkeeper during the 2010–11 season, and played with the U23 team. He made his professional debut for Wiesbaden on 27 April 2010 in an away game to league leaders Erzgebirge Aue when Marc Birkenbach was injured after 30 minutes. The game finished 2–2. When Michael Gurski was signed, he again became the third choice keeper, only being used for the U23 team.

In 2013, Marinovic left Wiesbaden and joined FC Ismaning and then 1860 Munich reserves, making one appearance at each club. In 2014, Marinovic signed with German Regionalliga club SpVgg Unterhaching, playing an important role in their promotion to the 3. Liga in his final season.

On 21 July 2017, Marinovic signed with MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC after impressing with the national team. He was released by Vancouver at the end of their 2018 season.

On 7 March 2019, Marinovic signed for EFL Championship side Bristol City until the end of the 2018–19 season, covering for injured goalkeepers Frank Fielding and Niki Mäenpää. He was released by Bristol City at the end of the 2018–19 season.

On 6 June 2019, Marinovic signed a two-year contract with A-League club Wellington Phoenix.

International career In 2011, Marinovic made two appearances for the New Zealand U20 national team at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia.

On 8 March 2015, Marinovic was called into the senior New Zealand national team to play a friendly against South Korea by coach Anthony Hudson. He made his debut in the match in Seoul on 31 March, playing the full 90 minutes, and has since established himself as the No.1 stopper for New Zealand. On his debut, he conceded a penalty kick, but saved it, eventually conceding the only goal of the game by Lee Jae-sung in the 86th minute.

Career statistics

Honours SpVgg Unterhaching Regionalliga Bayern: 2016–17

New Zealand U20 OFC U-20 Championship: 2011 OFC U-20 Championship

New Zealand OFC Nations Cup: 2016 IFFHS OFC Men's Team of the Decade 2011–2020 IFFHS Oceania Men's Team of All Time: 2021