Biography
Who is Jason Culina?
Early life and education
Jason Culina was born in Melbourne, Australia, on August 5, 1980. He is the youngest son of Branko Culina, who was a professional football coach for clubs such as Sydney FC and the Newcastle Jets. Jason is of Croatian descent and spent his early childhood in the western suburbs of Melbourne.
As a teenager, he relocated to Sydney with his family. During his youth, he attended Westfields Sports High School. This period laid the foundation for his professional athletic career, leading to his eventual development into a major football talent in both Australia and Europe.
Club career in Europe and Australia
Jason began his professional football path at Sydney United under the guidance of his father. He later moved to the Netherlands to join AFC Ajax. While he faced initial challenges with the reserves there, he found greater success after moving to FC Twente. This performance earned him a transfer to PSV Eindhoven, another top Dutch club.
During his time in the Netherlands, Jason won four Eredivisie titles, one with Ajax and three with PSV. He was known for his versatility, playing as an attacking midfielder at Twente and later shifting into disciplined defensive roles and right-back positions at PSV. In 2009, he returned to Australia to join Gold Coast United as their first marquee player on a three-year contract.
International play and coaching career
Jason made his debut for the Australian national team, the Socceroos, against South Africa in 2005. He became a consistent starter under head coach Guus Hiddink, whom he also played for at PSV. He participated in two FIFA World Cup tournaments and AFC Asian Cup competitions. In 2010, he served as the captain of the national team during an AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia.
Following his retirement as a player, he transitioned into coaching. He held positions at institutions like St Joseph's College and worked as head coach for Fraser Park and Sydney United 58. By 2023, he joined the Western Sydney Wanderers as their Head of Academy Coaches.
Personal life
Jason Culina is married to his wife, Terri. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Roman, on February 5, 2007. Roman has followed in his father's footsteps and currently plays football for St George City in the NPL NSW. Jason stands 176 centimeters tall.
Birthday and age
Jason Culina was born on August 5, 1980, which makes Jason 46 years old today. That birthday falls under the Leo sign. Jason shares the date with 46 other famous people.
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