Marc Janko
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Marc Janko (born 25 June 1983) is an Austrian former professional footballer who played as a striker. Janko was a successful goal-scorer, particularly during his time at Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg, where he scored 75 league goals in 108 matches, including 39 goals in 35 matches in the 2009–10 season. He is the son of Eva Janko, who won a bronze medal in the women's Javelin event at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
Key Information
Club career
[edit]Red Bull Salzburg
[edit]Janko began his career at Admira Wacker in Mödling, Lower Austria. After successful years, he joined Red Bull Salzburg. He was one of the most important players for the team,[citation needed] and in the end of the 2004–05 season, he scored 11 goals in 10 matches.
2008–09 season
[edit]Janko began the 2008–09 season scoring five goals in the first two matches. On 16 November 2008, he became the all-time club leader for goals scored in one season for Salzburg. His 25 goals in less than half a season, surpassed previous record-holder Oliver Bierhoff, who scored 23 during the 1990–91 season. Janko continued his scoring streak with a four-goal performance against league rival Altach. On 6 December 2008, he surpassed Toni Polster as the all-time half-season scoring champion by scoring 30 goals in 20 matches.[citation needed]
Janko scored five hat tricks in the league during the season, including a four-goal performance after coming on as a second-half substitute against SCR Altach in a 4–3 victory. In total, he scored 39 goals (plus 9 assists) in 34 matches as Red Bull Salzburg won the league.
Due to his 39 goals scored in the 2008–09 season, he became the topscorer in all European leagues during the year.[1] His success caught the attention of several English Premier League clubs and Celtic.[citation needed] However, he signed a new contract with Red Bull on 30 January 2009, which would have kept him in Salzburg until June 2013.
2009–10 season
[edit]Though there were rumors and speculation that Janko would sign with a different club, he stayed with the Red Bulls. In 21 matches that season, Janko scored 12 goals which currently[when?] put him in second place in the Bundesliga behind teammate Roman Wallner. His best performances were a four-goal effort against FC Kärnten on 4 October, and a pair of goals scored against Josko Ried on 13 February 2010.[2]
Janko was also an integral part of the Salzburg team that enjoyed success in its pool play in the UEFA Europa League.[citation needed] He had a strong performance against Standard Liège on 19 February 2010, scoring his side's two goals in a 3–2 loss in the first tie of the round of 32.[3]
Twente
[edit]Janko signed a four-year contract with Dutch club Twente on 21 June 2010 and was given the number 21 shirt, previously worn by fellow Austrian Marko Arnautović. Twente paid Red Bull €7 million for Janko's signature.[4]
2010–11 season
[edit]
Janko scored his first goal for his new club on 21 August 2010, his side's first in a 3–0 win over Vitesse in the third match of the Eredivisie season.[5] In the club's next Eredivise match, Janko scored a brace and notched an assist as Twente defeated Utrecht 4–0.[6]
Janko scored four goals for Twente in a 5–0 rout of Heracles on 19 January 2011, while also providing an assist for Luuk de Jong's goal.[7] On 23 January, he scored both goals for Twente as they came from a goal down to defeat Groningen.[8] On 8 May 2011, Janko scored the winning goal of the 2011 KNVB Cup final against Ajax in the 117th minute to seal a 3–2 victory.[9][10][11]
2011–12 season
[edit]In the 2011 Johan Cruyff Shield on 30 July 2011, Janko scored from the penalty-spot as Twente defeated reigning Eredivisie champions Ajax 2–1 to lift the cup.[12] In the first match of the 2011–12 Eredivisie season, Janko scored the match's only goal as Twente defeated NAC Breda.[13] Janko scored twice on 28 August, scoring Twente's third and fifth goals as they defeated Heerenveen 5–1.[14] On 29 September, he scored twice to lead Twente to a first victory in the UEFA Europa League, a comfortable 4–1 win over Wisła Kraków.[15]
On 15 October, Janko scored a hat-trick as Twente defeated RKC Waalwijk 4–0 in an Eredivisie match.[16] On 1 December, he scored a goal in the final minute of normal time as Twente defeated Fulham 1–0 to secure first place in Group K of the UEFA Europa League group stage.[17]
Porto
[edit]On 30 January 2012, it was announced that Janko would sign for Porto.[18] On 31 January, Janko was officially unveiled as a Porto player and was given the number 29 shirt, joining in a €3 million move and signing a contract until June 2015.[19][20] On 5 February, he scored his first goal for Porto against Vitória de Setúbal in the Taça de Portugal, a 2–0 win.
Trabzonspor
[edit]On 28 August 2012, after just half a year at Porto, Janko signed for Turkish club Trabzonspor for a €2.4 million transfer fee.[21] He made his debut for the club five days later, coming on for Paulo Henrique in the second half of a 0–1 loss to Gaziantepspor.[22] Janko finally scored his first goal for Trabzonspor on 19 November, opening the scoring for the club in their 2–1 victory over Orduspor.[23]
Janko scored his first goal of the 2013–14 season on 24 October 2013, scoring Trabzonspor's goal in a 2–0 victory over Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Europa League group stage.[24] On 4 December, he scored against Balıkesirspor in the fourth round of the Turkish Cup, but the goal was not enough as Trabzonspor fell to a 1–3 defeat.[25] He scored just his second league goal during his time in Turkey on 23 February 2014, scoring the match winner against Kayserispor.[26] At the end of the season, Janko was released from his contract, allowing the forward to move to a new club on a free transfer.[27]
Sydney FC
[edit]On 31 July 2014, Janko was announced as Sydney FC's new marquee signing for the 2014–15 A-League season,[28] on a one-year deal, meaning his wages were permitted to be paid outside the league's salary cap. On 30 August, he scored his first goal for Sydney during the final of the inaugural Townsville Football Cup in a 2–0 win against Brisbane Roar.[29] On 24 October, he scored his first A-League goal, against Brisbane Roar in a 2–0 victory. His 35-yard shot bounced into the top left corner to give Sydney a 1–0 lead.[30] Janko scored his next two goals in the form of a brace against Melbourne City, after having turned down the opportunity to play for the Austria national team against Brazil.[31] He scored another two goals in Sydney's 5–1 rout of Central Coast Mariners on 24 January 2015. Janko was awarded the Professional Footballers Australia Player of the Month for February following a run of six goals in four matches during the month.[32] Janko scored his first hat-trick for Sydney in their 5–4 win against Brisbane Roar on matchday 21 at Allianz Stadium in rather inclement conditions.[33][34] His hat-trick also saw him become Sydney's highest season goalscorer with 16 goals (previously held by Alessandro Del Piero during the 2012–13 A-League season with 14). In addition, Janko became the first ever player to score in seven consecutive matches, the previous record being held by ex-Brisbane Roar player Besart Berisha with six.[35] On 26 May 2015 it was announced that Janko would be leaving Sydney due to difficulties with attending league matches and international duty.[36]
Basel
[edit]On 25 June 2015, it was announced that Janko joined Swiss side Basel on a free transfer, signing a one-year deal, with an option for a furtheryear.[37] He joined Basel's first team for their 2015–16 season under head coach Urs Fischer. After playing in one test game, Janko played his domestic league debut for the club in the away game in the Letzigrund, in Zürich, on 25 July 2015. He also scored his first goal for the team in the same game as Basel won 3–2 against Grasshopper.[38] Janko scored a hat-trick in the home game in the St. Jakob-Park on 13 March 2016 as Basel won 4–2 against St. Gallen.[39] Under trainer Fischer, Janko won the Swiss Super League championship at the end of the 2015–16 Super League season. For the club it was the seventh title in a row and their 19th championship title in total.[40]
In summary, Janko scored 16 goals and gave two assists in 20 league games in his first season for the Swiss club. He was third in the scorers list behind Guillaume Hoarau (18 goals) and Mu'nas Dabbur (19 goals). Janko led the scorer list for a long time. However, he tore a muscle fiber in mid-April 2016 and missed the rest of the season due to injury.[41] In addition, the striker reached the last 16 of the 2015–16 Europa League with Basel, scoring two goals and giving two assists in that competition. The contract option was met and Janko stayed another year with the club.[42]
At the start of the 2016–17 Super League season, FCB strengthened their attacking formation, signing Ivorian player Seydou Doumbia from AS Roma. The two strikers were used alternately throughout the season. At the end of Basel's 2016–17 season, Janko won the championship with the club for the second time. For the club this was the eighth title in a row and their 20th championship title in total.[43] They also won the 2016–17 Swiss Cup, defeating Sion 3–0 in the final.[44]
The contract between Basel and Janko was not extended by the club and he left FCB at the end of the season.[45] During his two seasons with the club, Janko played a total of 76 games for Basel scoring a total of 37 goals. 44 of these games were in the Swiss Super League, five in the Swiss Cup, 17 in the UEFA competitions (Champions League and Europa League) and ten were friendly games. He scored 29 goals in the domestic league, five in the cup, three in the UEFA competitions and the other three were scored during the test games.[46]
Sparta Prague
[edit]On 6 June 2017, Janko signed a two-year contract with Czech club Sparta Prague.[47]
Lugano
[edit]On 6 February 2018, Janko signed a contract with Swiss club FC Lugano.[48]
International career
[edit]
Janko made his debut for Austria in a May 2006 friendly match against Croatia and earned his second cap in October that year against Liechtenstein. In 2009, he scored one of Austria's two goals against Lithuania on 10 October 2009. Four days later, he scored Austria's lone goal against France.
He represented the national team at 2016 UEFA Euro.[49]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Admira Wacker | 2004–05 | Austrian Bundesliga | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 2 | ||
| Red Bull Salzburg | 2005–06 | Austrian Bundesliga | 18 | 11 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 18 | 11 | ||
| 2006–07 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | 11 | 3 | |||
| 2007–08 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 14 | 5 | |||
| 2008–09 | 34 | 39 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | — | 38 | 42 | |||
| 2009–10 | 34 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 4 | — | 45 | 22 | |||
| Total | 108 | 75 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 7 | — | 126 | 83 | |||
| Twente | 2010–11 | Eredivisie | 29 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 1 | — | 42 | 17 | |
| 2011–12 | 16 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 1[a] | 1 | 27 | 18 | ||
| Total | 45 | 24 | 6 | 4 | 17 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 69 | 35 | ||
| Porto | 2011–12 | Primeira Liga | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[b] | 1 | 12 | 5 |
| Trabzonspor | 2012–13 | Süper Lig | 14 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 17 | 1 | |
| 2013–14 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 13 | 3 | |||
| Total | 23 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 4 | ||
| Sydney FC | 2014–15 | A-League | 22 | 16 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[c] | 0 | 25 | 16 | |
| Basel | 2015–16 | Swiss Super League | 20 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 | — | 33 | 20 | |
| 2016–17 | 24 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — | 33 | 14 | |||
| Total | 44 | 29 | 5 | 2 | 17 | 3 | — | 66 | 34 | |||
| Sparta Prague | 2017–18 | Czech First League | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 8 | 2 | |
| Lugano | 2017–18 | Swiss Super League | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 2 | ||
| 2018–19 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 11 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 20 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 3 | ||
| Career total | 290 | 155 | 21 | 10 | 56 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 372 | 184 | ||
- ^ Appearance in Dutch Super Cup
- ^ Two appearances in Taça da Liga
- ^ Two appearances in Finals series
International
[edit]- Source:[52]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 2006 | 2 | 0 |
| 2008 | 5 | 3 | |
| 2009 | 7 | 4 | |
| 2010 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2012 | 7 | 3 | |
| 2013 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2014 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2015 | 7 | 7 | |
| 2016 | 11 | 3 | |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 70 | 28 | |
International goals
[edit]- Scores and results list Austria's goal tally first.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 20 August 2008 | Stade du Ray, Nice, France | 2–0 |
2–2 |
Friendly | |
| 2. | 6 September 2008 | Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria | 1–0 |
3–1 |
2010 World Cup qualification | |
| 3. | 15 October 2008 | 1–3 |
1–3
| |||
| 4. | 5 September 2009 | UPC-Arena, Graz, Austria | 2–0 |
3–1 | ||
| 5. | 3–0
| |||||
| 6. | 10 October 2009 | Tivoli-Neu, Innsbruck, Austria | 1–0 |
2–1
| ||
| 7. | 14 October 2009 | Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France | 1–2 |
1–3
| ||
| 8. | 7 October 2011 | Dalga Arena, Baku, Azerbaijan | 2–0 |
4–1 | Euro 2012 qualifying | |
| 9. | 3–0
| |||||
| 10. | 15 November 2011 | Arena Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine | 1–1 |
1–2 |
Friendly | |
| 11. | 29 February 2012 | Hypo-Arena, Klagenfurt, Austria | 1–0 |
3–1
| ||
| 12. | 16 October 2012 | Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria | 1–0 |
4–0 | 2014 World Cup qualification | |
| 13. | 2–0
| |||||
| 14. | 6 February 2013 | Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales | 1–2 |
1–2 |
Friendly | |
| 15. | 7 June 2013 | Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria | 2–0 |
2–1
| ||
| 16. | 19 November 2013 | 1–0 |
1–0 |
Friendly | ||
| 17. | 5 March 2014 | Wörtherseestadion, Klagenfurt, Austria | 1–0 |
1–1
| ||
| 18. | 9 October 2014 | Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova | 2–1 |
2–1 |
Euro 2016 qualifying | |
| 19. | 27 March 2015 | Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein | 2–0 |
5–0
| ||
| 20. | 31 March 2015 | Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria | 1–0 |
1–1 |
Friendly | |
| 21. | 14 June 2015 | Otkrytie Arena, Moscow, Russia | 1–0 |
1–0 |
Euro 2016 qualifying | |
| 22. | 8 September 2015 | Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden | 3–0 |
4–1
| ||
| 23. | 9 October 2015 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | 1–1 |
3–2
| ||
| 24. | 12 October 2015 | Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria | 2–0 |
3–0 | ||
| 25. | 3–0
| |||||
| 26. | 26 March 2016 | 1–0 |
2–1 |
Friendly | ||
| 27. | 5 September 2016 | Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi, Georgia | 2–0 |
2–1 |
2018 World Cup qualification | |
| 28. | 9 October 2016 | Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia | 2–2 |
2–3
|
Honours
[edit]Club
[edit]Red Bull Salzburg
Twente
Porto
Basel
Individual
[edit]- Austrian Football Bundesliga Topscorer: 2008–09
- Professional Footballers Australia Player of the Month: February 2015
- A-League Golden Boot: 2014–15
- A-League PFA Team of the Season: 2014–15
- Sydney FC Team of the Decade: 2015
Records
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Golden Boot ("Soulier d'Or") Awards". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Österreichische Fußball-Bundesliga" [Austrian Football Bundesliga]. bundesliga.at. Archived from the original on 10 July 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Red Bulls lose unbeaten record". www.redbull.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "FC Twente heeft spits Janko binnen". Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Vitesse vs. Twente 0–3". Soccerway. 21 August 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "Twente vs. Utrecht 4–0". Soccerway. 29 August 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "Twente vs. Heracles 5–0". Soccerway. 19 January 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "Groningen vs. Twente 1–2". 23 January 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ admin (8 May 2011). "Video Twente - Ajax (3-2) KNVB beker". Ballsicher.com: Sportwetten Tipps u. Wettquoten-Vergleich (in German). Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ Hegarty, Peter-Joseph (8 May 2011). "Barcelona Moves Within a Point of Third Straight Spanish Title; Inter Wins". Bloomberg.
- ^ "Dutch Cup glory for FC Twente". www.teamtalk.co.za. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "FC Twente wint de Johan Cruijff Schaal" [FC Twente wins the Johan Cruijff Shield.]. FC Twente (in Dutch). 30 July 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "NAC Breda vs. Twente 0–1". Soccerway. 7 August 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "Heerenveen 1–5 Twente". Mackolik. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "Twente come from behind to tame Wisła". UEFA. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "RKC v. Twente". Sky Sports. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "Jol returns to Twente with Fulham". UEFA. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "Official: Porto sign striker Marc Janko from Twente". Goal.com. 31 January 2012. Archived from the original on 23 July 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Official: Porto sign striker Marc Janko from Twente". Goal.com. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "Why Marc Janko is not the answer to Porto's goalscoring problems". Goal.com. 5 February 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "FC Porto gibt Marc Janko an Trabzonspor ab" [FC Porto transfers Marc Janko to Trabzonspor.]. Krone (in German). 28 August 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "Gaziantepspor vs. Trabzonspor 1–0". Soccerway. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "Orduspor vs. Trabzonspor 1–2". Soccerway. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "Clinical Trabzonspor sink spirited Legia". UEFA. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "Balıkesirspor vs. Trabzonspor 3–1". Soccerway. 4 December 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "Trabzonspor vs. Kayserispor 2–1". Soccerway. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Celts can snatch Janko for nothing". The Express. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ Decent, Tom (30 July 2014). "Marc Janko announced as Sydney FC's marquee signing". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Match 6: Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar". Wingate Properties Townsville Football Cup. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Sydney FC dismantles winless Roar". ABC News. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ Cordy, Neil (23 November 2014). "Marc Janko says he made right decision to snub Brazil friendly after match-winning performance". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
- ^ "Janko Earns PFA A-League Player Of The Month". Sydney FC. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ McKay, Gabriel; Banks, Ben (2 February 2022). "spotbet app". spotbet.llc. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ Bossi, Dominic (15 March 2015). "Marc Janko scores hat-trick as Sydney FC beat Brisbane Roar in nine-goal thriller". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ Gatt, Ray (15 March 2015). "Marc Janko races past Del Piero's Sydney FC goal-scoring record". The Australian. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
- ^ "Marc Janko and Sydney FC part ways". ABC News. 24 May 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ Feller, Céline (25 June 2015). "FCB verpflichtet österreichischen Nationalspieler Marc Janko" [FCB signs Austrian international Marc Janko.]. FCB signs Austrian international Marc Janko (in German). CH Regionalmedien AG, Aargauer Zeitung. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- ^ Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv” (25 July 2015). "Grasshopper Club - FC Basel 2:3 (2:2)". Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv”. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- ^ Brütsch, Markus (13 March 2016). "Der FC Basel gewinnt dank Janko-Hattrick und Steffen-Tor 4:2". FC Basel wins 4-2 thanks to a Janko hat-trick and a Steffen goal (in German). CH Regionalmedien AG, bz – Zeitung für die Region Basel. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- ^ SRF (30 April 2016). "FC Basel holt den 19. Meistertitel" [FC Basel wins 19th league title.]. FC Basel wins their 19th championship title (in German). Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF). Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- ^ suedostschweiz.ch (11 April 2016). "FCB-Stürmer Janko mit Muskelfaserriss out" [FCB striker Janko out with muscle fiber tear.]. FCB striker Janko out with a torn muscle fibre (in German). suedostschweiz.ch. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- ^ FC Basel 1893 (6 April 2016). "Marc Janko bleibt bis Juni 2017 beim FC Basel 1893". Marc Janko will stay with FC Basel 1893 until June 2017 (in German). FC Basel 1893 AG. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Marti, Casper (2 June 2017). "Der Saisonabschluss im Zeitraffer". The end of the season in time lapse (in German). FC Basel 1893 AG. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- ^ Rodriguez-Bloch, Laila (25 May 2017). "Swiss Football Cup: FC Basel wins 3–0 over Sion in Geneva; Police extra vigilant after game". thegenevist.com. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- ^ FC Basel 1893. "Marc Janko verlässt den FCB End Saison" [Marc Janko leaves FCB at the end of the season.]. Marc Janko leaves FCB at the end of the season (in German). FC Basel 1893 AG. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv” (2019). "Marc Janko - FCB statistic". Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv”. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- ^ "Marc Janko posilou Sparty". sparta.cz. 6 June 2017. Archived from the original on 10 June 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
- ^ "Marc Janko stürmt neu für Lugano" [Marc Janko now plays for Lugano.]. Luzerner Zeitung. 6 February 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "Austria-Hungary | Line-up". UEFA. com. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
- ^ Marc Janko. "Marc Janko Profile". ESPN Soccernet. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ "Marc Janko Profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ "Marc Janko – National Football Teams". National Football Teams.
- ^ Marc Janko at Soccerway. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
- ^ "Swiss football: FC Basel wins 3-0 over Sion in Geneva; police extra vigilant after game". allaboutgeneva.com. 25 May 2017. Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
External links
[edit]- Profile 2016 on the Swiss Football League homepage Archived 12 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- Official website – Marc Janko
- Marc Janko – UEFA competition record (archive)
- Player profile – Red Bulls Salzburg
- Marc Janko at National-Football-Teams.com
Marc Janko
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Youth and education
Marc Janko was born on 25 June 1983 in Vienna, Austria, into a family with a strong athletic heritage. His mother, Eva Janko (née Egger), is a former Olympic athlete who won a bronze medal in the javelin throw at the 1968 Mexico City Games, representing Austria and instilling an early appreciation for sports discipline and achievement within the household.[7] His father, Herbert Janko, was a multiple Austrian high jump champion in the late 1960s.[7] Growing up in a supportive environment in Vienna, Janko benefited from a privileged upbringing that emphasized values of perseverance and community involvement, shaped by his parents' influence.[8] Janko received his early education in local schools in Vienna, balancing academics with burgeoning athletic pursuits amid the city's vibrant community sports scene. His initial exposure to football came through family encouragement and neighborhood programs, reflecting the athletic inclinations of his household. At the age of six, in March 1990, he joined the youth ranks of Admira Wacker Mödling, an amateur club on the outskirts of Vienna, where he began honing his skills in organized settings.[1] During his childhood, Janko also experimented with tennis but ultimately committed to football, drawn to the sport's team-oriented nature and the joy of sharing successes with teammates rather than competing individually.[9] This early dedication, fostered by familial support and local opportunities, laid the foundation for his lifelong passion for the game before transitioning to more structured youth training.[8]Early football influences
Marc Janko, born in Vienna on 25 June 1983, began his involvement in organized football at the age of six, joining the youth academy of Admira Wacker Mödling in March 1990.[1] Located on the outskirts of Vienna, Admira provided Janko with his first structured training environment, where he started developing his technical skills and game understanding in local youth setups.[10] As he progressed through Admira's youth ranks during the 1990s and early 2000s, Janko competed in Austrian youth leagues, honing his abilities as a forward.[1] His physical stature, growing to 1.96 meters, became a key asset, allowing him to establish himself as a target man striker early on, relying on aerial prowess and positioning in the penalty area.[1] By his mid-teens, this local progression in Vienna-area competitions laid the foundation for his entry into more competitive academy levels at Admira.[11] In 2004, at age 20, Janko joined Admira's senior team, marking a pivotal transition that included initial senior training sessions and exposure to higher-intensity drills.[12] This step, supported by his family's encouragement from his early years, bridged his youth development to professional pathways. Early coaches at Admira emphasized his goal-scoring instincts, fostering a mentality that would define his career as a prolific forward.[11]Club career
Admira Wacker
Marc Janko joined the senior team of Admira Wacker in 2004 at the age of 21, following several years in the club's youth academy where he developed as a striker.[12] Born on June 25, 1983, in Vienna, Janko transitioned from youth stints to professional football with Admira Wacker Mödling, a club based in Lower Austria, marking his entry into the Austrian Bundesliga. During the 2004–2005 season, Janko made 13 appearances in the Austrian Bundesliga for Admira Wacker, scoring 2 goals while accumulating 755 minutes of playing time.[13] His debut came on December 8, 2004, against Grazer AK, where he scored his first professional goal in a 5–2 defeat, demonstrating early promise despite the loss.[13] As a newcomer, Janko faced challenges in securing consistent playing time, often coming off the bench, and adapting to the physical and tactical demands of senior-level competition, which limited his overall impact in his debut campaign.[13] He also featured for the club's reserve team in the Regional League East, making 10 appearances and scoring 3 goals, which helped maintain his development amid restricted first-team opportunities.[13] A pivotal moment came on March 12, 2005, when Janko scored the winning goal in a 1–0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg, highlighting his potential as a clinical finisher and drawing attention from larger clubs.[13] This performance, along with his overall contributions in a season described as successful for a young player breaking through, paved the way for his transfer to Red Bull Salzburg on July 1, 2005.[10]Red Bull Salzburg
Janko joined Red Bull Salzburg on 1 July 2005, transferring from Admira Wacker for a fee of €350,000.[14] This move marked a significant step in his career, as Salzburg, freshly rebranded under Red Bull ownership, aimed to dominate Austrian football. During his five-year tenure from 2005 to 2010, Janko made 108 league appearances and scored 75 goals, establishing himself as the club's primary attacking force.[15] His breakthrough came in the 2008–09 season, where he netted a remarkable 39 goals in 34 league matches, setting the record for the most goals in a single Austrian Bundesliga campaign.[16] This haul made him the league's top scorer and earned him the European Silver Shoe as the second-highest scorer across Europe's top divisions, adjusted for league coefficients.[17] Janko's prolific form was instrumental in Red Bull Salzburg securing the Austrian Bundesliga title that year, contributing to the club's attacking dominance with his clinical finishing and aerial prowess. In the following 2009–10 season, he added 18 goals in 34 appearances, helping Salzburg clinch another league championship and completing a hat-trick of titles alongside the 2006–07 success.[18][19] Throughout his time at Salzburg, Janko's goal-scoring exploits transformed the team into perennial contenders, with his contributions underscoring the club's strategy of high-pressing, fluid offense. He played a pivotal role in three Bundesliga triumphs (2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10), amassing over 100 total goals across all competitions and solidifying his reputation as one of Austria's premier forwards.[12]Twente
In the summer of 2010, Marc Janko transferred from Red Bull Salzburg to FC Twente for a reported fee of €7 million, signing a four-year contract and taking the number 21 shirt.[20][21] His arrival bolstered Twente's attack following their Eredivisie title win the previous season, with Janko bringing his proven goal-scoring form from Austria, where he had netted 39 goals in one Bundesliga campaign.[21] During the 2010–11 season, Janko made 42 appearances across all competitions, scoring 17 goals and providing several assists, emerging as a key figure in Twente's campaign.[22] In the Eredivisie, he featured in 29 matches, netting 14 times, including a hat-trick in a 4–0 win over RKC Waalwijk, as Twente mounted a strong title challenge, finishing second with 71 points from 34 games, just seven behind champions Ajax.[22][23] Janko's contributions extended to the domestic cups, where he scored twice in four KNVB Cup outings, culminating in a standout performance in the final against Ajax on May 8, 2011; he netted the decisive goal in the 117th minute of extra time to secure a 3–2 victory and Twente's first major trophy of the season.[24] This success carried into the Johan Cruyff Shield on July 30, 2011, with Janko converting a 21st-minute penalty in a 2–1 win over Ajax, claiming Twente's second Dutch Super Cup.[25] Janko's time at Twente also marked his European debut, beginning with the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League group stage, where he played all six matches without scoring but helped the team secure a 2–2 draw against Inter Milan and advance to the round of 16 before elimination by Tottenham Hotspur.[22][26] In the 2011–12 season, he added to his continental experience through UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, scoring twice in four appearances as Twente progressed before dropping to the Europa League, where he netted three goals in four group-stage games.[27] Overall, from 2010 to his mid-season departure in January 2012, Janko recorded 27 appearances and 18 goals for Twente that year alone, totaling around 69 outings and 35 strikes across both seasons.[27]Porto
In January 2012, Marc Janko transferred permanently to FC Porto from FC Twente for a fee of €3 million, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract until June 2015.[28] This move followed a strong individual campaign at Twente, where he had netted 24 goals in 32 Eredivisie matches during the 2011–12 season.[28] Janko's time at Porto proved transitional, with limited opportunities in a squad featuring prominent attackers. He made 10 appearances in the Primeira Liga across the second half of the 2011–12 season, scoring 4 goals in 780 minutes of play, contributing to Porto's league title win that year. Competition for forward positions was intense, particularly from Brazilian forward Hulk, who led the league with 16 goals, and Colombian playmaker James Rodríguez, who contributed 7 goals and 9 assists in the same competition. In domestic cups, Janko featured twice in the Taça de Portugal, scoring once in 108 minutes, including his debut goal for the club in a 2–0 victory over Vitória de Setúbal on 5 February 2012 that advanced Porto to the next round. Although Porto exited the competition in the fourth round, Janko's contributions added depth during their campaign. He was also named in the club's UEFA Champions League squad for the 2011–12 season, where Porto reached the quarter-finals, but recorded no appearances in the tournament.[29]Trabzonspor
In the summer of 2012, after a brief spell at Porto, Marc Janko transferred permanently to Turkish club Trabzonspor for a fee of €2.4 million.[30] Janko's time at Trabzonspor from 2012 to 2014 was severely limited by persistent injuries, resulting in just 23 appearances and 2 goals across two Süper Lig seasons.[15] In the 2012–13 campaign, a major injury sidelined him for 106 days, restricting him to 14 appearances and 1 goal, while shorter absences in 2013–14 further curtailed his involvement to 9 outings and another single goal.[31] These fitness problems contributed to challenges in regaining form and adapting to the physical demands of the Süper Lig, as well as integrating into the team's attacking setup under managers like Şenol Güneş. His low output reflected a stark contrast to his prolific scoring record in Austria and the Netherlands, marking a difficult period of adjustment in Turkey.[15] Amid ongoing fitness concerns, Janko's contract with Trabzonspor was terminated by mutual consent in July 2014, allowing him to depart as a free agent.[30]Sydney FC
On 31 July 2014, following a challenging period at Trabzonspor hampered by injuries, Marc Janko joined Sydney FC as the club's international marquee player on a one-year contract.[32][7] The 31-year-old Austrian international arrived to replace Alessandro Del Piero, bringing his aerial prowess and finishing ability to the A-League.[33] Janko quickly revitalized his career in the 2014–15 season, appearing in 24 matches across the regular season and playoffs while scoring 16 goals.[15] His highlight came on 15 March 2015, when he netted a hat-trick in a thrilling 5–4 home win against Brisbane Roar, propelling Sydney FC to second place in the standings.[34] Janko's clinical form, including a record streak of goals in seven consecutive matches, earned him the A-League Golden Boot and Player of the Month for February.[35] As a seasoned leader from captaining Austria, Janko emerged as a key figure in Sydney FC's squad, guiding the team through a strong playoff run that saw them defeat Western Sydney Wanderers 3–2 in the elimination final before reaching the grand final, where they fell 3–0 to Melbourne Victory.[36][37] His contributions were central to the club's resurgence under coach Graham Arnold, helping secure a finals berth after three trophyless seasons.[38] Janko adapted swiftly to Australian football and life in Sydney, embracing the vibrant supporter culture and gaining widespread popularity among fans across the Asian-Pacific region for his goal-scoring exploits and approachable demeanor.[39] His impact extended beyond the pitch, as he engaged with the local community and highlighted the A-League's appeal to international audiences.[40]Basel
On 25 June 2015, Marc Janko joined FC Basel on a free transfer from Sydney FC, signing a one-year contract with an option for a further year.[41] This move marked his return to European football after a successful stint in the A-League, where he had reignited his scoring prowess.[30] During the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons, Janko made 44 appearances in the Swiss Super League for Basel, scoring 29 goals and proving pivotal to the team's success in winning back-to-back league titles.[42][43] In the 2015–16 campaign, he netted 16 goals to help secure the championship, Basel's seventh consecutive title.[42] The following season, Janko contributed 13 league goals as Basel defended their crown, finishing with 86 points from 26 wins, 8 draws, and 2 losses.[43] Additionally, in the 2016–17 Swiss Cup, Janko played a key role in Basel's victory, adding to the club's domestic double that year.[2] Janko also featured prominently in Basel's European efforts, particularly in the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League, where he appeared in 9 matches and scored 2 goals after the team dropped down from the Champions League group stage.[44] As the central striker in coach Urs Fischer's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, Janko operated as a target man, leveraging his height and aerial ability to hold up play and link with the midfield. This role allowed him to form effective partnerships with creative midfielders like Mohamed Elyounoussi and Luca Zuffi, who provided service to enhance Basel's fluid attacking strategy focused on quick transitions and width from the flanks.Sparta Prague
In July 2017, Marc Janko joined AC Sparta Prague on a free transfer from FC Basel, signing a two-year contract at the age of 34.[45][46] This move followed a successful stint at Basel, where he had contributed significantly to their domestic campaigns.[47] During the 2017–2018 season, Janko made only five appearances in the Czech First League, scoring one goal while accumulating 102 minutes of playing time without any starts.[15] His limited involvement stemmed from his age of 34 and stiff competition from younger forwards, such as the 23-year-old Lukas Julis, who emerged as a key scorer for the team.[15][48] Despite his marginal role, Janko provided depth to Sparta Prague's attacking options as they finished fifth in the Czech First League, qualifying for European competition the following season.[49] His presence offered experience to the squad during a transitional period in the domestic league efforts.[15]Lugano
In February 2018, Janko returned to Swiss football by signing with FC Lugano on a contract until June 2019, transferring from Sparta Prague after a brief stint there. This move marked his third spell in the Swiss Super League, following earlier successful periods with Red Bull Salzburg and Basel.[50] Over the course of the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons with Lugano, Janko made 20 appearances in the Swiss Super League, scoring 2 goals, primarily operating as a substitute in his final year where he started just once in 8 outings.[44] His contributions were limited due to age and competition for places, but he provided experience in a squad that finished third in the league during 2018–19. Janko announced his retirement from professional football on 1 July 2019, at the age of 36, stating that he had decided "enough is enough" after a career spanning multiple countries and competitions.[12][51]International career
Youth career
Marc Janko's youth international career with Austria was primarily at the under-21 level, where he showcased his scoring prowess during key qualifying matches.[52] In October 2005, Janko made a notable appearance for the Austria U21 team in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier against England at Elland Road in Leeds. Trailing 1-0 at halftime, he scored twice in the second half—his first goal in the 56th minute to equalize and the winner in the 76th minute—securing a 2-1 victory that propelled Austria to the top of Group 6 and eliminated England from qualification.[53][54] Overall, Janko earned two caps for the Austria U21 side, netting two goals in competitive fixtures, with his performances drawing attention from senior selectors amid his rising form at Red Bull Salzburg.[52]Senior career
Marc Janko made his senior debut for the Austria national team on 23 May 2006 in a friendly match against Croatia, which ended in a 1–4 defeat in Vienna.[4] Over the course of his international career from 2006 to 2019, he earned 70 caps and scored 28 goals, serving as Austria's leading scorer during several qualification campaigns, including seven goals in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers.[4][55] As co-hosts of UEFA Euro 2008, Austria automatically qualified, and Janko was included in the squad, appearing in group stage matches against Poland and Croatia.[56] He featured again at UEFA Euro 2016, starting in the 0–2 loss to Hungary and the 1–2 defeat against Iceland during the group stage.[57] One of his standout contributions came in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, highlighted by his spectacular overhead kick in the 1–0 victory against Russia on 14 June 2015, and a goal in the 4–1 victory over Sweden on 8 September 2015, helping secure Austria's qualification.[5][57] In his later years, Janko assumed a leadership role, captaining the team during key matches, including qualification efforts for major tournaments.[32] He announced his international retirement following Austria's final UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier on 24 March 2019, a 2–4 loss to Israel in Tel Aviv, marking the end of his national team journey at age 35.[4]Playing style
Strengths and attributes
Marc Janko, standing at 196 cm tall, possessed a commanding physical presence as a striker, which significantly contributed to his effectiveness in aerial duels throughout his career.[15] His height allowed him to dominate defenders in the air, particularly during his peak years in the mid-2000s at Red Bull Salzburg, where he leveraged this attribute to score numerous headers and establish himself as a formidable target man.[10] As a left-footed finisher, Janko demonstrated precision in converting opportunities, often using his stronger foot to curl shots into the far corner or strike powerfully from distance.[15] Janko's goal-scoring instincts were honed through sharp positioning and poaching ability inside the penalty area, enabling him to arrive at the right moment for tap-ins and instinctive finishes.[10] He excelled in hold-up play, using his back-to-goal strength to shield the ball from markers and maintain possession under pressure, which facilitated build-up sequences for his teammates.[7] His clinical conversion rates were evident in seasons like 2014-15 with Sydney FC, where he netted 16 goals in 25 appearances, underscoring his efficiency in front of goal.[7] Off the ball, Janko displayed a commendable work rate, actively participating in pressing actions to disrupt opposition defenses and linking effectively with midfielders through intelligent layoffs and one-touch passes.[7] His technical adeptness, including good ball control despite his stature, allowed him to drop deeper when needed, contributing to fluid attacking transitions.[10] Janko's development traced a path from a raw youth prospect at Admira Wacker, where his physical tools were evident but unrefined, to a seasoned finisher who combined aerial prowess with tactical maturity across European and Australian leagues.[10] By the mid-2000s, his aerial dominance reached its zenith, as seen in his prolific 2008-09 season with 39 goals for Salzburg, marking the evolution of a lanky forward into a complete, instinctive striker.[10]Reception and comparisons
Janko garnered significant media acclaim in Austria following his breakout 2008–09 season at Red Bull Salzburg, where he was described as the star of the domestic league for his dominant goalscoring and role in securing the title and cup double.[58] His 39 league goals that year positioned him as a top contender for the European Golden Shoe award, with outlets praising him as one of Europe's most dangerous marksmen and a physical yet technically skilled forward at 1.96 meters tall.[59] Salzburg supporters showed strong appreciation for Janko's loyalty, particularly after he signed a contract extension in 2009 amid interest from clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Roma, reaffirming his commitment to the team that had backed him through earlier injuries and declaring his "mission" there unfinished.[60] During his stint at Sydney FC from 2014 to 2015, fans and club officials valued his leadership as the Austrian national team captain, which he brought to the squad as a proven motivator and experienced presence.[32] At Basel in 2015–16, where he contributed to the Swiss Super League title, Janko was similarly respected for his on-field guidance and work ethic among teammates and supporters. Janko's playing style drew comparisons to other tall, physical strikers, noted for his aerial dominance, hold-up play, and clinical finishing reminiscent of players like Zlatan Ibrahimović in terms of size and versatility with the ball to his back.[7] Despite his successes, Janko faced criticism for inconsistency when moving to larger leagues, particularly during his brief 2011 spell at Porto, where he struggled to match his Salzburg output and made only limited impacts before a loan departure.[61] His 2013–14 tenure at Trabzonspor was similarly frustrating, plagued by injuries that limited his availability and effectiveness, leading to perceptions of underperformance in high-pressure environments.[7] Critics often pointed to his injury proneness as a recurring issue that hindered sustained adaptation abroad, though he rebounded effectively in subsequent roles.[10]Career statistics
Club appearances and goals
Marc Janko's club career, spanning from 2001 to 2019, resulted in 419 appearances and 212 goals across all competitive matches, excluding international fixtures.[62] These totals encompass domestic leagues, cups, continental competitions, and qualifiers, reflecting his contributions in Austria, the Netherlands, Portugal, Turkey, Australia, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.[62] By competition, Janko's output was dominated by domestic leagues, where he recorded 330 appearances and 182 goals. In the Austrian Bundesliga, he amassed 121 appearances and 77 goals, primarily with Red Bull Salzburg. The Eredivisie saw 45 appearances and 24 goals with Twente, while the Primeira Liga yielded 12 appearances and 5 goals at Porto. In the Süper Lig with Trabzonspor, he had 23 appearances and 2 goals; the A-League with Sydney FC featured 22 appearances and 16 goals; the Swiss Super League totaled 56 appearances and 31 goals across Basel and Lugano; and the Czech First League included 5 appearances and 1 goal at Sparta Prague. Domestic cups contributed 26 appearances and 16 goals, continental competitions 37 appearances and 13 goals, continental qualifiers 23 appearances and 5 goals, and other matches 3 appearances with no goals.[62] A standout achievement came in the 2008–09 season, when Janko scored 39 goals in 34 Austrian Bundesliga matches for Red Bull Salzburg, securing the European Golden Shoe award.[59] The following table aggregates his statistics by club, including all competitions:| Club | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Admira Wacker Mödling | 60 | 30 |
| Red Bull Salzburg | 127 | 83 |
| Twente | 69 | 35 |
| Porto | 12 | 5 |
| Trabzonspor | 30 | 4 |
| Sydney FC | 24 | 16 |
| Basel | 66 | 34 |
| Sparta Prague | 8 | 2 |
| Lugano | 23 | 3 |
| Total | 419 | 212 |
International appearances and goals
Marc Janko represented the Austria national football team from 2006 to 2019, accumulating 70 caps and scoring 28 goals.[4][63] His contributions were particularly notable in qualifying campaigns, where he netted 20 goals across World Cup and European Championship qualifiers combined.[4] With these tallies, Janko ranks as Austria's sixth-highest goalscorer of all time.[64] The following table summarizes Janko's appearances and goals by competition:| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Friendlies | 29 | 8 |
| FIFA World Cup qualification | 22 | 11 |
| UEFA European Championship qualification | 16 | 9 |
| UEFA European Championship | 2 | 0 |
| UEFA Nations League | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 70 | 28 |