Country: Croatia Caps (goals): 52 (9) DOB: 14/9/1979 in Davor Club: Hamburg SV, Germany Position: Winger/Striker Shirt number: 18 Heavy Burden The long-term injury of Croatia's main man Eduardo da Silva left Olic with the assignment of providing goals for the Vatreni this summer. Even though he scored only once in the qualifying campaign, the Hamburg forward managed to reach double figures in the Bundesliga this season, scoring 14 times. Bilic will have to decide whether to use Olic as a center-forward or place him on the left wing, where he usually plays with the national team. International Career Since making his debut in 2002, Olic was present in all top competitions with Croatia, including the 2002 and 2006 World Cup finals and the Euro 2004. He scored against Italy in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea, where the Blazers were axed from the first round. Olic produced a memorable performance in Croatia's 3-2 qualifiers win over England at Wembley, scoring the second goal in style. Club Career Olic played for Marsonia, NK Zagreb and Dinamo Zagreb before sealing a move to Russia's CSKA Moscow in 2003. He won two Russian Premier League titles, three cup titles and the 2005 UEFA Cup with CSKA and became an established member of the Russian outfit, who eventually sold him to Hamburg in January 2007. Olic's 14 goals in the 2007-2008 season made him Hamburg's top scorer in the Bundesliga. Qualities A talented left-footed player, who can create a lot of danger with his pace, especially when playing as a winger. The 28-year-old Olic also has some neat finishing that enables him to play at the center of attack when needed.
