Position: Defender
Born: 12.11.75
Club: AC Milan

Dario Simic has spent the last eight years playing his club football in Milan, initially with Internazionale before a 2002 cross-city move to the Rossoneri.

Nicknamed 'The Pitbull' for his fearsome competitiveness, Simic made his name with Dinamo Zagreb before starring in Croatia's sensational 1998 World Cup run.

His performances in France earned the attentions of Europe's biggest clubs and he joined Inter after that tournament however, he never established himself as a first-team regular during four years and the cross-city rivals agreed a player swap.

Simic has made a more significant contribution with his new club including 13 appearances on the road to victory in the 2003 Champions League.

His versatility means he can play at full-back or sweeper and it would be a huge surprise if the 30-year-old did not become Croatia's most capped player if not this summer then during qualifying for Euro 2008.