Željko Brkić

Early career in Serbia

Brkić, playing in the goalkeeper position, started his career as a professional began at the club Indeks Novi Sad and Vojvodina, before playing professionally at Vojvodina. Brkić loaned him to Proleter Novi Sad in 2005, where he stayed for the club about two years. At Proleter Novi Sad, Brkić made thirty-one appearances. After his return from loan, Brkić made his debut for the club, in a 1–0 win over Napredak Kruševac on 2 September 2007. Since then, Brkić soon became a first-choice goalkeeper and soon became the club's captain. At the club, Brkić made a total of 117 appearances.

Siena

In the summer of 2011, Brkić left Serbia to join Italian side Udinese.^[1] Because Udinese ran out of non-EU registration quota for international signing (which Udinese had to buy one from other club) as well as the performance of Slovenian internationals Samir Handanović, Brkić was signed by Serie A club Siena^[2][3] in definitive deal^[4] from Vojvodina, which he would transfer back to Udine in a later time. (which just cost Siena for €20,000 as other fee.^[4]).

On 11 September 2011, Brkić made his debut in a 0–0 draw against Catania, keeping his first clean sheet on his debut in Serie A.^[5] In October, following impressive performances with Siena, Brkić was linked with a move to English side Tottenham Hotspur. In response of a transfer speculation, however, Brkić told Serbian daily Sport that he is aware of the transfer rumour, but insists he is focusing at Siena.^[6] Brkić also says he is no rush of leaving the club and insists the move is not affecting his form.^[7] After a 2–0 loss against Milan on 17 December 2011 in which Brkić get a yellow card resulting a penalty,^[8] Brkić soon had an operation that kept him out for many months after fracturing his left fibula.^[9] A year on, Brkić spoke about his injury and find it difficult to come back to recover.^[10] In January 2012, Brkić was transferred back to Udinese for free^[4] and returned to Siena on a temporary deal also for free.^[4] During his injury, Siena used Gianluca Pegolo as first choice. Brkić played his first game since his injury on 22 April. In a 1–1 draw against Bologna on 25 April 2012, Brkić scored an own goal from an Alessandro Diamanti free kick, denying Siena a win.

Udinese

2012–13

After a season with Siena, Brkić became the club's first-choice goalkeeper following Samir Handanović's departure to Inter Milan.^[11] Having established himself in the first team, Brkić made his debut for the club in the UEFA Champions League qualification round against Portuguese side Braga. Unfortunately, Udinese was eliminated in the Champions League and demoted to the UEFA Europa League after losing in the penalty shoot-out in the second leg, just three days before he made his league debut in a 2–1 loss against Fiorentina. However, the next game was even went worse for Brkić when he gave away the penalty in early minutes and received a red card in a 4–1 loss against regaining champion Juventus. After the match, former referee Daniele Tombolini says Brkić's sending-off was a mistake because Sebastian Giovinco, the opposition player in the match, did not have possession of the ball, though he maintained his views that the foul was a penalty.^[12] Brkić then miss one match against Siena^[13] and made his return when Udinese won 2–1 against Milan the next game. On 4 October 2012, Brkić was in goal when Udinese beat Liverpool 3–2, making good save from Luis Suárez twice and a header from Jonjo Shelvey.^[14] Unfortunately, Udinese would then be eliminated from the Europa League, following a strings of losses. In mid-January, Brkić soon suffered an injury after fracturing the second finger of his right hand and went to surgery that kept him out at least a month.^[15] A month later, Brkić made his return, playing in friendly match against Gemonese on 26 February 2013. After the match, Brkić says he was prepared to make a comeback.^[16] Brkić made his return on 3 March 2013 against Pescara, where the club won 1–0.^[17] After the match, Brkić returned as a first-choice goalkeeper for the rest of the 2012–13 season.

PAOK

On 7 July 2016, Brkić signed a three-year deal with Super League Greece club PAOK. Brkić, who had already agreed terms with PAOK's president/technical director Ľuboš Micheľ, passed his medical at the Thessaloniki-based club and then signed his new contract, leaving Italy after five consecutive seasons. Brkić, along with the experienced Greek internationals Panagiotis Glykos and Markos Vellidis, is expected to be part of a very strong triplete in goalkeeper's position for PAOK ahead of 2016–17 season.^[22][23]

Club

International