PLAYER PROFILE

Mark Viduka

Position: Forward

Height: 6'2

Weight: 14st 4lbs

Date of Birth: 1975-10-09 Melbourne, Australia

Mark Viduka

David O'Leary swooped for Mark Viduka just before the 1999/00 season after tracking the big Aussie striker for some time. The Leeds boss paid Celtic £6million for his services, after Viduka told the Scottish club he wanted a bigger challenge elsewhere.

The Australian international was voted SPL Player of the Year after scoring 27 goals in his first full season at Parkhead, but it wasn't just his goals that endeared him to Celtic crowds. For a big striker, Viduka is remarkably skillful, and is excellent at holding the ball up and bringing others into play.

Viduka started his career in Australia with Melbourne, before a spell with Croatia Zagreb caught the attention of Celtic - who bought him in December 1998 for 3.5 million. At Leeds he was expected to line up in a three-pronged attack alongside fellow Aussie Harry Kewell and Michael Bridges, but injuries to those two saw him form an excellent partnership with Alan Smith in Leeds Champions League matches, whilst Robbie Keane also benefited from the big Aussie in their Premiership matches together.

Viduka delighted Elland Road in his first season at the club, scoring a remarkable 22 goals and capturing the attention of Europe's biggest clubs. Nevertheless, Viduka remained committed to Leeds and signed a new five-year deal in the summer of 2001.

In the 2002/03 campaign Viduka successfully notched up another 22 goals for the season forming a devastating partnership with youngster Alan Smith and thriving off Aussie team mate Harry Kewell's brilliant passing ability.

However, the 2003/04 season was less successful for him and Viduka bore much of the brunt of criticism for Leeds' relegation from the Premiership. In July 2004 he left the club and joined Middlesbrough for £4.5m.

His first season at the Riverside proved him as another of Steve McClaren's intelligent bargain buys. He showed great form in the early part of the campaign, scoring 5 goals.

However, a recurring hamstring problem kept plaguing him, leaving him on the sidelines for long stretches of the season. He made only 21 appearances and scored 7 goals.

However, he returned from injury in 2005/06 to become a vital part of the Boro team, scoring sixteen times in 43 games. He also played during Australia's impressive run in the 2006 World Cup.

Another successful season followed in 2006/07 as he scored 19 goals in 29 starts. However, at the end of the season, Viduka's contract had expired and he moved on to join Newcastle United, signing a two-year deal in June 2007.