Branislav Ivanovic is a Serbian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg and the Serbia national team. Ivanovic played seven years for the English side Chelsea and made 261 appearances. He has an estimated net worth of $26 million.
Branislav Ivanovic was born on 22 February 1984, in Sremska Mitrovica, SFR Yugoslavia. He was born to Rade Ivanovic and Salvica Ivanovic; he belongs to a footballing family as his father Rade played for local team FK Srem as a defender. He used to play as a striker until 15, before switching to his current position in defense.
Ivanovic started his professional footballing career in 2002 joining the local club FK Stream. He represented the club in 2002-2003 season playing 19 games and scored 2 goals. Later he moved to Serbian's top division club, OFK Beograd. He played for two years for the club appearing in 55 games and scored 5 goals.
Ivanovic's performances in the Serbian league was scouted by several European clubs; Ivanović was signed by Russian Premier League club Lokomotiv Moscow in January.
Ivanović played 2 years for the club and was a key member of the squad in his final season. He made 26 league appearances and scored three goals. Later he switched to England making his official move to Chelsea on January 15, 2008. He made his debut for the club on September 24, 2008, starting against Portsmouth in the League Cup. He played 8 successive years for Chelsea making appearances in 261 games and scored 21 goals. He is best known for his career at Stamford Bridge.
At the age 33, Ivanovic joined Russian side Zenit Saint Petersburg on a two-and-a-half-year deal after a successful nine-year spell with Chelsea on 1 February 2017. On February 16, 2017, Ivanović made his Zenit debut in their 2–0 away defeat to Anderlecht.
Ivanovic has played alongside the players like Eden Hazard, Pedro Rodriguez etc.
Branislav Ivanovic has experienced playing for his national sides in both junior and senior Levels, he is the captain of his national side. He made his senior international debut on 8 June 2005 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, playing against Italy. He has won over 120 caps for his national side scoring 16 goals.
Ivanovic is married to Natasa Ivanović. The couple turned their long term relationship into marriage on January 12, 2008. The couple together has four children, one of his son's name is Stefan Ivanovic. His nick name is "Bane" and his maternal cousin is Dejan Milovanovic, also a professional footballer, with whom he played in the junior national teams. They have twin child named Andreja and Ana.
Natasa was a neighbor to Ivanović in Sremska Mitrovica which was the reason the duo became closer and eventually started dating each other.
Ivanović was rumored to be having an extra affair with Serbian socialite Marijana Matthäus. They were often spotted together in London which arose the rumors.
Branislav Ivanovic has an estimated net worth of $26 million as of 2017 including all his properties. He has an annual salary of $6.5 million and his current market value is $12,000,000. He had the salary of around $80 thousand per week while at Chelsea.
