Position: Midfielder
Born: 13.08.84
Club: Hajduk Split

Niko Kranjcar may be the son of Croatia coach Zlatko, yet there is more than old-fashioned nepotism keeping the 21-year-old in the international picture.

A hugely talented performer, Hajduk Split will have their work cut out to keep Kranjcar beyond this tournament, with French champions Lyon already said to be planning a bid for the only Croatian regular still playing in his homeland.

Given his debut by father and former international Zlatko soon after he took charge of the national team, Niko has proved himself a natural successor to the legendary Robert Prosinecki.

Usually fielded as the most attacking of Croatia's three central midfielders, Kranjcar can also play as a striker (perhaps unsurprising given that was his father's position as a player), where his sublime touch and excellent passing make him a great linkman.

Kranjcar made his debut for Dinamo Zagreb as a 16-year-old and was captaining the side before he was out of his teens - but having clashed with the club's hierarchy he moved to Split at the start of last year.

That will certainly not be the last move of his career, though, and with the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan thought to be likely to break cover if Lyon put in their expected bid, Kranjcar's future looks to be a bright one.

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