Tonći Pirija
Quick Facts
Biography
Tonći Pirija (born March 13, 1980) is a Croatian former footballer who played in the Croatian First Football League, Superleague Greece, Slovenian PrvaLiga, Kazakhstan Premier League, Croatian Second Football League, and the Canadian Soccer League.
Playing career
Pirija began his career in 1997 with HNK Hajduk Split in the Croatian First Football League. In 2000, he was loaned to HNK Šibenik, where he appeared in 6 matches. After several seasons in the Croatia top flight he went abroad to Greece to play with OFI Heraklion in the Superleague Greece. After a season in Greece he was transferred to NK Zagorje to the Slovenian PrvaLiga. In 2005, he returned to Croatia to play with NK Međimurje, where he played in 11 matches and recorded 1 goal. He went once more abroad to Asia to play with FC Tobol in the Kazakhstan Premier League. In 2006 season he was playing with NK Imotski in the Croatian Second Football League. He went overseas to Canada in 2008 to play with Toronto Croatia in the Canadian Soccer League. He made his debut on July 13, 2008 against the Serbian White Eagles.In 2010, he was appointed the team captain, and won the CSL Championship after defeating Capital City F.C. by a score of 1-0.The following season he won the double with Croatia by clinching the regular season title, and defeating the Montreal Impact Academy in the CSL Championship final.In 2013, he signed with London City, where he helped London clinch a postseason berth. He featured in the quarterfinal match against York Region Shooters, where they advanced to the next round after a 4-2 victory in a penalty shootout.In the next round they were eliminated from the competition after a 4-2 defeat to Kingston FC.