Who is Josip Stanišić?

Data correct as of 29 April 2025

Josip Stanišić

Age: 25 (born: 2 April 2000)
Club: Bayern Munich
Position: Centre-back/right-back
Country: Croatia (22 caps)

Key stats

Stanišić learned his craft in the youth teams of 1860 Munich and Fürstenfeldbrück, before moving to Bayern in 2017. Part of Bayern's U17 and 3. Liga-winning teams in 2016/17 and 2019/20 respectively, the 6'1" defender made his senior debut against Union Berlin on 10 April 2021, replacing the suspended Alphonso Davies at left-back. He has also operated on his natural right-hand side, in his preferred centre-half role, and even as a defensive midfielder, whilst producing a goal and an assist across his first 41 competitive appearances for the record champions.

The versatile defender featured 23 times in all competitions for Bayern in the 2022/23 campaign, including eight of the side's 10 UEFA Champions League matches. His increased playing time has also led to senior international honours with Croatia, which includes one appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Stanišić started - and helped Croatia win - the third-place playoff against Morocco. Stanišić also featured in the 2023 UEFA Nations League final as Croatia fell narrowly short in a penalty loss to Spain.

Watch: Josip Stanišić's opener for Leverkusen, against Bayern

He joined Leverkusen on a season-long loan in August 2023, scoring against his parent club on Matchday 21. Later in the campaign, the Croatian rescued 2023/24 champions Leverkusen's record unbeaten run with 97th-minute equalisers in draws with Borussia Dortmund and Roma. Although Leverkusen ultimately lost in the UEFA Europa League final to Atalanta, he still finished the season with two winners' medals, coming on as a substitute as Die Werkself beat Kaiserslautern 1-0 in the DFB Cup final. After playing twice for Croatia at UEFA Euro 2024, he returned to Germany to sign a contract extension with Bayern.

A serious knee injury meant he didn't appear until Matchday 19 of the 2024/25 campaign, but he is set to make Bundesliga history if Bayern claim a record-extending 33rd title.

His triumph with Leverkusen means he is already only the second player after August Starek to win back-to-back Bundesligas with two different clubs, and he will become the very first to do so with three. He will also become the only Bundesliga player to have won the league title in each of the last five seasons.

Plays a bit like: Benjamin Pavard

Something of a defensive all-rounder with a leaning towards the heart of the defence, Stanišić is very much in the Benjamin Pavard mould. Like the former Bayern man and 2018 World Cup winner, he provides his teammates with a useful attacking outlet, as he showed at Leverkusen.

Did you know?

Not all that long ago, Stanišić was the subject of an international tug of war between Germany and Croatia. After playing for both countries at youth level, he followed his bloodline, earning his first senior Croatia caps in October 2021.

"My family comes from Slavonski Brod, a city in the east of Croatia, so it's a dream for me to play for Croatia’s senior national team," explained the Munich-born defender.

"The Croatian FA and the coach have been making great efforts with me for several months and showed me how I fit in. I’m really looking forward to the challenge."

Watch: The best of Stanišić in 2023/24

"The whole team knows what they have in Stani." - Bayern teammate Thomas Müller after Stanišić stopped Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi in the Champions League in March, 2023

"Josip Stanišić is already very experienced in the Bundesliga and Champions League. He's technically strong, intelligent, can play with both feet and in several defensive positions. With Josip's commitment, the competition in our squad will be intensified. He is a very ambitious player who will continue to improve the quality of the squad." - Bayer sporting director Simon Rolfes praises Stanišić after the player's loan move to the BayArena

"I was generally very satisfied with Stani. He lost the ball in a dangerous situation in the second half. Otherwise, he was very good, did well offensively and defended well. He's a reliable player." - former Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann after handing Stanišić a start for the Bavarian giants on Matchday 1 of 2021/22

"He has the experience, he has the quality. We need top players in every position. Josip can play in several positions. We are very happy with him, with his attitude every day." - Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso