Ognjen Vranješ

Ognjen Vranješ (born 24 October 1989) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back.

Vranješ started his professional career at Borac Banja Luka, before joining Red Star Belgrade in 2009. He was sent on loan to Napredak Kruševac in 2010 and to Sheriff Tiraspol later that year. Vranješ then played in Russia for Krasnodar and Spartak Vladikavkaz and in Turkey for Elazığspor and Gaziantepspor. He signed with Sporting Gijón in 2016. Later that year, he switched to Tom Tomsk. A year later, he moved to AEK Athens. The following year, Vranješ was transferred to Anderlecht, who loaned him back to AEK Athens in 2019 and to Charleroi in 2021. Later that year, he went back to AEK Athens. In 2022, he joined Hatayspor. A year after, he moved to Čukarički.

A former youth international for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vranješ made his senior international debut in 2010, earning over 30 caps until 2018. He represented the nation at their first major championship, the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Early career
Vranješ came through the youth academy of his hometown club Borac Banja Luka, which he joined in 2000. He made his professional debut in 2007 at the age of 17. On 9 August 2008, he scored his first professional goal against Orašje, which secured the victory for his team.

In December, he signed with Serbian side Red Star Belgrade. In January 2010, he was sent on a six-month loan to Napredak Kruševac. In July, he was loaned to Moldovan outfit Sheriff Tiraspol until the end of the season.

In January 2011, Vranješ moved to Russian team Krasnodar.

In December 2012, he joined Spartak Vladikavkaz. In May 2013, he suffered a severe knee injury, which was diagnosed as an anterior cruciate ligament tear and was ruled out for at least six months.

In January 2014, he went to Turkish club Elazığspor.

In February 2015, he switched to Gaziantepspor.

In January 2016, Vranješ joined Spanish outfit Sporting Gijón.

In August, he signed with Tom Tomsk.

AEK Athens
In December, Vranješ moved to Greek side AEK Athens on a contract until June 2019. He was sent off on his official debut for the squad on 7 January against Asteras Tripolis. On 5 February, he scored his first goal for AEK Athens in a triumph over Veria.

Vranješ scored his first career hat-trick in a defeat of Xanthi on 18 February 2018.

He won his first trophy with the club on 23 April, when they were crowned league champions.

Anderlecht
In June, Vranješ was transferred to Belgian outfit Anderlecht for an undisclosed fee. He made his competitive debut for the side on 28 July against Kortrijk and scored an own goal.

In June 2019, he was sent on a season-long loan to his former team AEK Athens.

In January 2021, he was loaned to Charleroi for the remainder of the campaign.

Return to AEK Athens
In July, Vranješ returned to AEK Athens on a two-year deal. He played his first official game for the club since coming back in a UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier against Velež on 29 July. Six weeks later, he appeared in his first league game after returning against Ionikos. On 3 October, he scored first goal for AEK Athens since his comeback in a victory over Panetolikos.

He played his 100th match for the squad against Panetolikos on 16 January 2022.

Later stage of career
In July, Vranješ signed with Hatayspor.

In September 2023, he moved to Čukarički.

International career
Vranješ was a member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina under-21 team for several years.

In August 2010, he received his first senior call-up, for UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers against Luxembourg and France, but had to wait until 17 November to make his debut in a friendly game against Slovakia.

In June 2014, Vranješ was named in Bosnia and Herzegovina's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, country's first major competition. He made his tournament debut in the last group match against Iran on 25 June.

He retired from international football on 13 February 2020.

Personal life
Vranješ's older brother Stojan is also a professional footballer.

He has been the subject of many controversies during his career. In August 2010, he wore Delije shirt to celebrate his then club Sheriff Tiraspol eliminating Dinamo Zagreb in a UEFA Champions League qualifier, which was construed as provocation. In 2015, he made a tattoo depicting borders of Republika Srpska on his left upper arm, which led to public scrutiny. He later apologized and covered the tattoo up. Because of the tattoo, he had many altercations with BHFanaticos, the largest Bosnian support group. In September 2018, he was sentenced to eight months probation for instigating fan violence over his Facebook page during his time with AEK Athens. Later that year, it was spotted that Vranješ had a tattoo of Chetnik duke Momčilo Đujić on his upper right arm, which got him publicly criticized by the Bosnian FA and the fans, with whom he already had bad relations. In January 2019, he was once again in center of a scandal, as media reported that he had an affair with Serbian singer Jelena Karleuša, who was married to footballer Duško Tošić at the time. In January 2023, he, along with his brother, was found guilty of battering a couple and fined 6.000 BAM.

Honours
Borac Banja Luka
 * First League of the RS: 2007–08

AEK Athens
 * Super League Greece: 2017–18