Dragan Holcer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Dragan Holcer

Personal information
Date of birth	(1945-01-19)19 January 1945
Place of birth	Zwiesel (Berggießhübel), Nazi Germany
Date of death	23 September 2015(2015-09-23) (aged 70)
Place of death	Split, Croatia
Playing position	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1963–1967	Radnički Niš	96	(8)
1967–1975	Hajduk Split	215	(0)
1975–1981	VfB Stuttgart	179	(2)
1981–1982	Schalke 04	12	(0)
Total		502	(10)
National team
1965–1974	Yugoslavia	52	(0)
Honours Men's Football Representing  Yugoslavia European Championship Silver 1968 Italy Team
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Dragan Holcer (born January 19, 1945 – died September 23, 2015) was a famous football player from Yugoslavia. He was known for playing as a defender, which means he helped protect his team's goal. Holcer played for several big clubs and also represented his country, Yugoslavia, in international matches.

Dragan Holcer was born during World War II. His mother, Ida Orelli, was from Austria and Italy, and his father, Franc Holcer, was from Slovenia. His father was a fighter in the war and sadly passed away. Dragan's pregnant mother and his three sisters were held in Germany during the war. After the war ended, his mother took the family to Niš in Serbia, where Dragan grew up.

Dragan Holcer's Football Journey

Dragan Holcer had a long and successful career in football. He started playing professionally in 1963 for a club called Radnički Niš. He played there for four years, showing off his skills as a defender.

Playing for Hajduk Split

In 1967, Dragan moved to Hajduk Split, one of the biggest football clubs in Croatia. He spent eight years with Hajduk Split, from 1967 to 1975. During his time there, he played in 215 games. He became a true legend for the club, known for his strong defense and leadership on the field.

Moving to Germany

After his time in Croatia, Dragan Holcer moved to Germany. He joined VfB Stuttgart in 1975 and played there for six years. He appeared in 179 matches for Stuttgart, scoring 2 goals. Later, in 1981, he played briefly for Schalke 04 before ending his professional career.

International Matches for Yugoslavia

Dragan Holcer also played for his country, Yugoslavia. Playing for the national team is a big honor, as it means you are one of the best players from your country.

He made his first appearance for Yugoslavia in September 1965. This was during a qualifying match for the World Cup. Over his career, he played in a total of 52 international games for Yugoslavia. He was also part of the team that played in the European Championship in 1968. His last international game was a friendly match against the Soviet Union in April 1974.

Later Life and Legacy

Dragan Holcer was always remembered as a legend of Hajduk Split. He passed away in Split on September 23, 2015, at the age of 70. His contributions to football, especially as a defender, left a lasting mark on the sport.

See also

In Spanish: Dragan Holcer para niños