18 Facts About Josip Skoko

Josip Skoko was born on 10 December 1975 and is an Australian former professional soccer player who played as a central midfielder for North Geelong Warriors, Hajduk Split, Genk, Genclerbirligi, Wigan Athletic, Stoke City and Melbourne Heart.

Josip Skoko was born in Mount Gambier, to a Croatian family.

Josip Skoko played for Mt Gambier Croatia until he was 9 years old when he and his family moved to Geelong.

Josip Skoko played for North Geelong Warriors before moving to Croatian side Hajduk Split in 1995.

Josip Skoko joined Turkish club Genclerbirligi in 2003 where he spent two years before moving to English football.

Josip Skoko played nine times for Stoke and scored twice against Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.

Josip Skoko signed a new contract deal keeping him at Wigan until 2008.

However, at the end of the season it became clear that Josip Skoko had played his last game for the club.

Josip Skoko is relishing the chance to return to the side he made more than 100 appearances for between 1995 and 1999, with a club he describes as "a second home".

Josip Skoko was named as one of the initial members of the leadership group.

In February 2012, Josip Skoko came out of retirement to take part in the 2012 Hawaiian Island Invitational before retiring for good.

Josip Skoko was a member of the Australia senior team for ten years, from 1997 to 2007.

Josip Skoko made his debut for Australia against Macedonia in 1997 and was a mainstay of the Socceroos side from then on, participating in two World Cup qualifying campaigns.

Josip Skoko represented his country at the Olympics in 2000.

In November 2005, Josip Skoko came on as a substitute in Australia's playoff victory over Uruguay to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Josip Skoko captained a weakened Australian side against Bahrain in an Asian Cup qualifier in 2006.

Josip Skoko was selected in the squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany but did not play in any of Australia's four games.

Josip Skoko ended his international career 51 minutes into the match in Melbourne when he was replaced by midfielder Carl Valeri.