Name: Branislav Ivanovic
Nationality: Serbians
Position: Defender
Former Clubs: OFK Belgrade, Lokomotiv Moscow
D.O.B: 22/02/1984
Squad Number: 2

Branislav was lucky enough to become a Chelsea player in January 2008. However, it took him a full 8 months to get necessary match fitness before making his debut in the Carling Cup against Portsmouth. Signing a three-and-a-half year contract joining from Lokomotiv Moscow he became Avram Grant’s second signing as Chelsea boss after the capture of Nicolas Anelka. Learning a deeper vocabulary of English helped Ivanovic on and off the park. He began to show his true-capabilities and soon became a fans favourite thanks to his double in the 2009 Champions League match versus Liverpool at Anfield which saw Chelsea through to the semi-final of the competition.

Impressive performances in his 41 appearances in the 2009/10 campaign made him contender for our player of the year. Although losing out to Ivorian Didier Drogba to win the award, he joined the striker in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season. During the 2010/11 season Branislav’s form was nothing short of excellent. He was ever present in our defence throughout the year and was one of the team’s most consistent performers. This form from the Serb didn’t go unnoticed, the club awarded his form with a new lucrative five-and-a-half year deal which he signed at the start of February and keeps him at the club until 2016.

The appointment of AVB in the summer of 2011 brought a new attacking philosophy to the club, Ivanovic lost his place to a more attacking full back but his versatility along with hard work will see him back in the team sooner rather than later.