Profile

The top scorer for Parma FC in the last two Serie A seasons, Igor Budan was unable to save the club from relegation after they lost their final game to champions FC Internazionale Milano. Seldom used by his country to date, the big target man could offer something different to the Croatia attack at UEFA EURO 2008.

Hails from Rijeka close to the north-east Italian border.

Made the short hop from NK Rijeka to SSC Venezia after representing Croatia at the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Thus began a topsy-turvy career in Italy that saw him play for six clubs in as many years during which he was relegated and promoted three times each.

Breakthrough in 2006/07 with 13 Serie A goals for Parma including one on debut v Torino FC; seven goals in 2007/08 despite missing first half of season with thigh injury.

National team debut in home town of Rijeka – February 2007 v Norway; one substitute appearance in UEFA EURO 2008 qualifiers (home to F.Y.R. Macedonia).

Did you know?

Budan's Serie A goal tally in 2006/07 included strikes against all of his four former clubs in the division – Empoli FC, US Città di Palermo, Atalanta BC and Ascoli Calcio.