Zeljko Kalac

NSL Career: Sydney Croatia/United 143 (0) / 1989/90 - 1997/98

Socceroos Career: 54 (0) A Internationals / 3 (0) B Internationals

Zeljko "Spider" Kalac was the tallest player in NSL and Socceroos history and had to claw his way to the top to become the NSL's first million dollar man. In an era of Australian football where the coveted Socceroos keeper position was competed for by experienced NSL keepers and young keepers who would go on to become the greatest Australia ever produced, Kalac beat his competitors to the position while playing in the NSL.

Starting his junior career as a striker, the competitive Kalac moved to the keeper position and moved from Luddenham Croatia to Nepean where his career-long competition with Mark Schwarzer began (Schwarzer was second to Kalac while at Nepean). Kalac joined NSL club Sydney Croatia at the U-14 level and not long after was training with the first team. 

Under coach and former Socceroos keeper Ron Corry, Kalac shared a NSL debut with future Socceroos defender Tony Popovic (both were 16) and started 10 of the first 11 games of the 1989/90 season until Croatia's brilliant keeper Tony Franken returned from a knee reconstruction. As Franken returned to form, Kalac was relegated to the bench for the entire 1990/91 season, apart from starting in Croatia's one-nil loss to Marconi in the first round of the NSL Cup.

Franken moved to APIA for the 1991/92 season, however, Kalac was now in competition with Australia's most prodigious talent, Mark Bosnich, who returned after leaving Croatia's youth team to join Manchester United as an apprentice and made three first team appearances. Bosnich started the first four games of the season before Kalac regained his spot and maintained it as Bosnich returned to England to join Aston Villa late in the season.

Kalac made his full international debut prior to the start of the 1992/93 season but was again in competition to become Croatia's first-choice keeper when Franken returned to the club. The number one role was shared between the two, with Kalac making 11 appearances and Franken playing in the other 15 fixtures after making his Socceroos debut. 

Kalac finally made his mark during the 1993/94 season, relegating Franken to one appearance during the season as he kept 13 clean sheets in 27 league appearances to claim his first NSL Goalkeeper of the Year award as United (formerly Croatia) reached the finals series for the first time since 1988.

In 1994, Kalac replaced the semi-retired Robert Zabica as Australia's regular custodian and was again the stand-out keeper in the NSL during the 1994/95 season, keeping 14 clean sheets in 27 league appearances as United reached the minor semi-final and became the first keeper to win two NSL Goalkeeper of the Year awards. 

The giant keeper became hot property as top UK clubs Celtic and Leeds competed for his signature along with First Division-bound clubs Leicester and Norwich. Former NSL coach Mick Hickman had become Leicester's conditioning coach, which swayed Kalac to sign for the First Division club and in the process smashed the Australian transfer fee record, signing for $1.7 million to become the NSL's first million dollar man.

With the expectation of getting game time at the smallest club on offer, Kalac would ultimately make the wrong decision as work permit issues (due to competition for the Socceroos' keeper position) kept him out of the team for majority of the season as he made just two league appearance in Leicester's promotion-winning season. Kalac was set to stay in England with Wolverhampton Wanderers in a joint-deal with fellow Australian Steve Corica but returned to Sydney United after his unresolved work permit issues saw his part of the deal fall through.

Back in the NSL, Kalac was part of the United side that finished minor-premiers before reaching the grand final for the first time since 1988, losing two-nil to Brisbane Strikers in front of a NSL record crowd. New Australian coach Terry Venables, who was on the board at English First Division club Portsmouth, tried to bring Kalac to the club but a deal couldn't be arranged.

Another solid season juggling NSL and Socceroos commitments saw Kalac keep seven clean sheets in 17 league appearances and helped United reached the elimination final before going to Germany to organise a deal with Borussia Dortmund. Kalac would sign for Dortmund and join Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse on loan for a season. 

Kalac received a last-minute offer to join Eredivisie club Roda JC on a permanent basis for $350,000 and accepted the offer, which kicked-off a successful career in Europe. Kalac's consistent performances for Roda over four seasons, where he won a KNVB Cup, saw him earn a contract with Italian Serie A side Perugia. 

With the Socceroos keeper between the posts, Perugia won the 2003 UEFA Intertoto Cup along with Villarreal and Schalke before becoming the first Australian to sign for Italian giants AC Milan. Kalac competed with Brazilian World Cup-winning keeper Dida for the number one role in the side over four seasons, making 38 Serie A appearances, and became just the third Australian after Craig Johnston and Harry Kewell to win the UEFA Champions League.

Following his time at Milan, Kalac had a short stint at Super League Greece side Kavala before hanging up his boots at the age of 37. Following his playing career, Kalac became a keeper and assistant coach at A-League clubs Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City as well as stints at Turkish club Karabükspor and Greek club Xanthi. 

Kalac had his first head coaching role in the NPL NSW with former club Sydney United during the 2020 season and is currently head coach of Croatian third division side Urania Baška Voda. Kalac was selected as starting keeper in Sydney United's 50th Anniversary All Stars Team.