17 Facts About Vedran Runje

Vedran Runje was capped 22 times for Croatia national team and was part of the tournament squad at the UEFA Euro 2008.

Vedran Runje began his professional career at Hajduk Split in 1996, but was unable to become a regular at the firstly team with first Tonci Gabric, the Croatia national team's back-up goalkeeper at the time, and eventually young prospect Stipe Pletikosa being selected ahead of him.

Vedran Runje eventually left the club in 1998 and joined Belgian side Standard Liege.

Vedran Runje played for Standard Liege until 2001, being named Belgian Goalkeeper of the Year in 1999 and 2001.

Vedran Runje went on to join French club Marseille, where he was the first-choice goalkeeper over the following two and a half seasons.

Vedran Runje was the club's first-choice goalkeeper until December 2003, losing his place following the arrival of Fabien Barthez in January 2004 and making no further appearances in the Ligue 1 and European competition until the end of the season.

Vedran Runje returned to Standard Liege in the summer of 2004, signing an initial three year deal.

Vedran Runje appeared in all of the club's six European matches during the season.

Between 1993 and 1996, Vedran Runje won a total of 8 international caps for the Croatia national under-19 and under-21 teams.

Vedran Runje made one appearance for Croatia B in a friendly match against Romania in January 2001.

When Slaven Bilic was appointed Croatia's head coach in the summer of 2006, Vedran Runje started to play understudy to Stipe Pletikosa in the national team.

Vedran Runje was a member of the Croatian 23-man squad at the UEFA Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland, making his only appearance in Croatia's final group game against Poland in Klagenfurt.

In June 2009, Vedran Runje was promoted first-choice goalkeeper at the Croatia national team after Pletikosa lost his place as a regular at his club, Spartak Moscow.

Vedran Runje was responsible for England's fifth goal, failing to make a clearance after a back pass and enabling Wayne Rooney to score easily with an unguarded goal in front of him.

Vedran Runje made a total of five appearances during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, which saw Croatia failing to qualify for the finals after finishing third in their group.

Vedran Runje is married to his first love Tihana and they have a son Roko.

Vedran Runje's younger brother Zlatko Vedran Runje was a professional goalkeeper, who last played for NK Hrvace.