Some call him an Australian great and some mark him as an under-achiever. Mark Viduka, one of the greatest football players Australia has ever produced finds himself out-of-contract and most importantly out-of-favour as he continues his so-called “semi-retirement” in Melborne, Australia.
Born on October 9, 1975 in Melbourne, Viduka was one of the few Australian players ever picked to play for the Australian national team the same year he started his club career, 1993. He was a naturally gifted player who was an absolute joy to watch and it showed in his early years, when he made an immediate impact at a very young age for Melbourne Knights where he bagged 40 goals in just 49 games to become a notable figure in the NSL.
His ball control skills and his first touches are unparalleled to any other Australian player including the great Harry Kewell himself. Johnny Warren Medal was awarded to this young Australian starlet after he was crowned NSL Player of the Year for two consecutive years. Famously, Knights renamed a stand in his honour called the "Mark Viduka Stand."
In 1995, his career took a flight from Australia to Europe when Dynamo Zagreb wanted to sign him. Making appearances in the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League boosted his confidence and saw him have a successful stint in Croatia where he stayed for three years, scoring a goal in every second game helping Zagreb win two doubles in three years.
Soon, he had the Scottish giants Celtic among the bidders for his signature. December 1998 and Celtic had acquired the services of Mark Viduka. He knew the ball was in his court now and he grabbed the opportunity presented to him with both hands by scoring an astonishing 35 goals in 48 games for Celtic.
His strike rate was immense and his name reverberating around almost every manager in Europe, David O’Leary, The Leeds United FC manager then, was interested in signing the Australian International.
Stunned by his own noise, Viduka couldn’t help but pat himself on the back and get ready to be stripped in the whites of Leeds. £6 million and the deal was done. It started off well again, 22 goals in his first season at Elland road saw him earn a five-year contract.
From scoring four against Liverpool to his impressive performances in the league as well as the cup, Viduka was making an impact day by day at Leeds. He also went on to play the semifinals of the Champions League with Leeds.
Due to financial woes, two years from being the semifinalists in the UEFA Champions League, Leeds were relegated and Viduka was sold to Middlesbrough.
He started off with his Middlesbrough career in the same fashion as he had done for all other clubs that he had played for, with flair and scoring goals. He helped Middlesbrough through to the final of the UEFA Cup and was awarded with a number nine shirt by Gareth Southgate, the Middlesbrough manager. He was out of contract an year later at Middlesbrough and soon quit The Riverside to join their rivals—Newcastle United—on a free transfer on June 7, 2007.
At Newcastle, he became Sam Alladyce’s first signing and helped Newcastle escape relegation. His stint at St. James Park was inflicted most by injuries. An year on and Newcastle were relegated and Viduka was released. Though he had an option to sign for Newcastle again but he turned it down and now is out of contract and possible out of favor as he enjoys holidaying in Melbourne.
Talk of ignorance or non faith, the quality that he still possesses can lead him to become a star performer for a premiership side even now. If Sol Campbell can be re-signed by Arsenal, Viduka does deserve another shot at the top most level.
Reportedly, he has gone back to Melbourne and has taken a so-called “semiretirement” which does mean that he considers himself for a return. There are other reports as well which link him signing for the club with which he started off his professional footballing career, Melbourne Knights.
All that happens remains to be seen but from a personal prospective, somewhere deep inside I know he will be back.
Considering he is holidaying away in Australia and without a club now as the football seasons are well into motion, it might seem Viduka needs a miracle to make it to the highest level.
No matter what you say, Viduka according to me has all it takes to perform as well or even better than what he has already done in the top flight of football and who know maybe, just maybe, like it’s always happened, his career some how might take another flight. Mark Viduka fans would love to see “The Duke” play again.Read more Newcastle United news on BleacherReport.com
Born on October 9, 1975 in Melbourne, Viduka was one of the few Australian players ever picked to play for the Australian national team the same year he started his club career, 1993. He was a naturally gifted player who was an absolute joy to watch and it showed in his early years, when he made an immediate impact at a very young age for Melbourne Knights where he bagged 40 goals in just 49 games to become a notable figure in the NSL.
His ball control skills and his first touches are unparalleled to any other Australian player including the great Harry Kewell himself. Johnny Warren Medal was awarded to this young Australian starlet after he was crowned NSL Player of the Year for two consecutive years. Famously, Knights renamed a stand in his honour called the "Mark Viduka Stand."
In 1995, his career took a flight from Australia to Europe when Dynamo Zagreb wanted to sign him. Making appearances in the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League boosted his confidence and saw him have a successful stint in Croatia where he stayed for three years, scoring a goal in every second game helping Zagreb win two doubles in three years.
Soon, he had the Scottish giants Celtic among the bidders for his signature. December 1998 and Celtic had acquired the services of Mark Viduka. He knew the ball was in his court now and he grabbed the opportunity presented to him with both hands by scoring an astonishing 35 goals in 48 games for Celtic.
His strike rate was immense and his name reverberating around almost every manager in Europe, David O’Leary, The Leeds United FC manager then, was interested in signing the Australian International.
Stunned by his own noise, Viduka couldn’t help but pat himself on the back and get ready to be stripped in the whites of Leeds. £6 million and the deal was done. It started off well again, 22 goals in his first season at Elland road saw him earn a five-year contract.
From scoring four against Liverpool to his impressive performances in the league as well as the cup, Viduka was making an impact day by day at Leeds. He also went on to play the semifinals of the Champions League with Leeds.
Due to financial woes, two years from being the semifinalists in the UEFA Champions League, Leeds were relegated and Viduka was sold to Middlesbrough.
He started off with his Middlesbrough career in the same fashion as he had done for all other clubs that he had played for, with flair and scoring goals. He helped Middlesbrough through to the final of the UEFA Cup and was awarded with a number nine shirt by Gareth Southgate, the Middlesbrough manager. He was out of contract an year later at Middlesbrough and soon quit The Riverside to join their rivals—Newcastle United—on a free transfer on June 7, 2007.
At Newcastle, he became Sam Alladyce’s first signing and helped Newcastle escape relegation. His stint at St. James Park was inflicted most by injuries. An year on and Newcastle were relegated and Viduka was released. Though he had an option to sign for Newcastle again but he turned it down and now is out of contract and possible out of favor as he enjoys holidaying in Melbourne.
Talk of ignorance or non faith, the quality that he still possesses can lead him to become a star performer for a premiership side even now. If Sol Campbell can be re-signed by Arsenal, Viduka does deserve another shot at the top most level.
Reportedly, he has gone back to Melbourne and has taken a so-called “semiretirement” which does mean that he considers himself for a return. There are other reports as well which link him signing for the club with which he started off his professional footballing career, Melbourne Knights.
All that happens remains to be seen but from a personal prospective, somewhere deep inside I know he will be back.
Considering he is holidaying away in Australia and without a club now as the football seasons are well into motion, it might seem Viduka needs a miracle to make it to the highest level.
No matter what you say, Viduka according to me has all it takes to perform as well or even better than what he has already done in the top flight of football and who know maybe, just maybe, like it’s always happened, his career some how might take another flight. Mark Viduka fans would love to see “The Duke” play again.Read more Newcastle United news on BleacherReport.com
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