Biography
Who is Branko Ilić?
Early life and career
Branko Ilić was born in Ljubljana, within the Socialist Republic of Slovenia. He began his football path at the local club NK Olimpija Ljubljana. His professional debut occurred in 2003 during a match against FC Koper. After the financial collapse of his first club, he moved to NK Domžale in early 2005 to continue his development.
His defensive skills often placed him at right-back, though he frequently occupied the central defender position. These early years in his homeland established the foundation for a career that spanned across multiple countries and leagues. He eventually returned to his roots later in his professional life, playing for Olimpija Ljubljana again and finishing his playing days with Domžale.
International football career
Branko Ilić represented Slovenia at the senior international level for over a decade, with his first appearance occurring in August 2004 against Serbia and Montenegro. His tenure with the national team lasted until 2015, during which he accumulated 63 total caps.
A highlight of his international experience was being named to the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa. Although he remained on the bench throughout the tournament, he was a key figure in other campaigns. He scored a goal for his country during a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against San Marino, helping his team secure a victory.
Professional club history
The career of Branko Ilić took him across many borders. In January 2007, he moved to the Spanish club Real Betis on loan, making history as the first Slovenian to represent the team. He made his La Liga debut shortly after, assisting a goal against Athletic Bilbao. The club later purchased him permanently for 1.5 million euros.
His time in Russia included stints with FC Moscow and FC Lokomotiv. He also competed in the top divisions of Cyprus, Israel, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Japan, and Denmark. He spent time with FK Partizan in Serbia and FC Astana in Kazakhstan. His path continued with Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan and Vejle Boldklub in Denmark before he eventually retired in 2020.
Honours and achievements
Throughout his time as a professional, Branko Ilić earned several league and cup titles. He was part of the squad that won the Slovenian Football Cup with Olimpija Ljubljana during the 2002–03 season. Later, he celebrated a league title victory with NK Domžale in 2006–07.
His success continued with international clubs. While playing for the Serbian team Partizan, he secured the Serbian SuperLiga title in the 2014–15 season. Upon returning to Slovenia later in his career, he helped Olimpija Ljubljana achieve a double by winning both the league and the cup during the 2017–18 season.
Birthday and age
Branko Ilić was born on February 6, 1983, which makes Branko 43 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Branko shares the date with 35 other famous people.
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