"My first thought was that Filip was absolutely right!“
On Monday, our new signing Ivan Šunjić flew from Birmingham to Berlin via Brussels to join up with his team on Tuesday. The 25-year-old is starting immediately and is ready to get stuck in. “I’m fit and ready to go,” explained the midfielder. Next Monday, however, the Croatian will fly back to England for Hertha’s training camp at St. George’s Park, a few miles north of Birmingham, England’s second city. Returning to familiar territory, the Croat would like to quickly get to know his teammates and Hertha’s tactics as quickly as he can at BSC’s second pre-season training camp. “I want to get here as soon as I can and get to know everyone at the club,” commented Šunjić. He’ll be requesting the help of an old friend from Croatia U21s, Filip Uremović, with that. “Since the first day he was here, he told me it’s a great club full of great people, and from what I’ve seen so far, Filip is absolutely right,” smiled Šunjić, who has represented his country at first-team level. In his first interview with herthabsc.com, he spoke about nicknames, his special number and taking the step into the Bundesliga.
herthabsc.com: Ivan, welcome to Berlin and to Hertha BSC! To start with, can you please explain your reasoning behind choosing to sign for us?
Šunjić: First of all, thank you for the warm welcome! The chance to move to a huge club in the Bundesliga was a huge step for me and I’m very happy to have signed here. It feels like the right move after three years in England. The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in the world and I’m delighted that I’ll be able to play here in the future.
herthabsc.com: How were the conversations with Fredi Bobic and Sandro Schwarz?
Šunjić: We spoke a few weeks ago and talks were very positive and pleasant. At the end, it was clear to me that I’d like to come here – and here I am (smiles).
herthabsc.com: We’re sure you’ve come here with some new goals! What would you like to achieve here at Hertha?
Šunjić: I think I’d like to take it step by step. My first objective is to join up with the squad, settle in and get to know all of my teammates as well as the people that work at the club. Then, it’ll be about pre-season preparations – and we need to make best use of it, work hard and make sure we’re ready for the challenges of next season. We started pre-season at Birmingham at almost exactly the same time. I feel fit and ready to get going!
[>]The chance to move to a huge club in the Bundesliga was a huge step for me and I’m very happy to have signed here. It feels like the right move after three years in England.[<]
herthabsc.com: You’ve already collected lots of experiences from your time in Croatia and England, as well as in the international fixtures you’ve played. You’re now about to enter the Bundesliga. How closely have you followed the league in the past and what are you particularly looking forward to?
Šunjić: I know the league well, I’ve kept an eye on it ever since I was a kid. There were and still are a lot of Croatian players in this league and I’m looking forward to following it more closely as well as the opportunity to prove myself in a new league and in a new environment.
herthabsc.com: Please describe yourself to our fans – what sort of a player can they look forward to seeing?
Šunjić: I actually don’t like talking about myself. I’d prefer to leave it to them to form their own opinion about me. However, I can say that I’ll leave everything out on the pitch in every training session and in every game, that’s just who I am!
herthabsc.com: People in Birmingham labelled you the destroyer...
Šunjić: (laughs loudly) Yeah, I got that nickname from former teammates. Everyone actually had one, and that was simply the one I got – it wasn’t bad for a first nickname in football (grins).
herthabsc.com: The number 34 has accompanied you in your career for some time now – you've worn that number for five years in Zagreb and Birmingham, and now you’re bringing it with you to Berlin. Does it have a special meaning to you?
Šunjić: No, I just like the number. It came with me to Birmingham and I simply just continued to wear it. If someone already had that number here, that wouldn’t have been a problem - I’m not a superstitious guy when it comes to lucky numbers or things like that (laughs).
herthabsc.com: You’re not just familiar with your squad number here at Hertha, but you’re also going to be joining up with an old friend again, with whom you played for Croatia U21s: Filip Uremović! Did you speak shortly before you joined us here?
Šunjić: Yes, we spoke a few days ago and have been in regular contact ever since. Filip has also recently joined the club, and has told me since his first day that it’s a great club with lots of great people, and that I wouldn’t regret the decision. From what I’ve seen so far, he’s absolutely right!”
herthabsc.com: A few of your former teammates are also now playing in the Bundesliga. You know Leipzig’s Dani Olmo from Dinamo Zagreb, and you played together with Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham at Birmingham City. Have you spoken to either of them?
Šunjić: Not yet, but I’ll take that chance when our team face each other next season. I’m sure we’ll have a chance to catch up after the matches, and I’m looking forward to it.
[>]I trained there once with Croatia U18s - the facilities are great. It will be good to be back there.[<]
herthabsc.com: The location of our second training camp, St. George’s Park in Burton-upon-Trent, is very close to Birmingham, so it’ll be like you’re going back to your old stomping ground. Do you know the ground well?
Šunjić: I trained there once with Croatia U18s before we played against England. The facilities are great and it’s where the national team trains, so there are several reasons why it’s good that I’m going to be there again.
herthabsc.com: Now that this interview’s done, it’s time for you to get settled in Berlin! Is anyone going to be accompanying you to the capital?
Šunjić: Yes, my wife’s coming with me to Berlin. She’ll join me as soon as we find somewhere for us both to stay.