The legend of Vinkovci’s Cibalia and former Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) international Mladen Bartolovic has passed away at the age of 49 after a long and serious illness.
“Mladen Bartolovic has left us. At the age of 49, after a long and serious illness, a man who left an immeasurable and indelible mark on Cibalia has passed away. With his moves and goals, he delighted everyone who holds the sky-blue colour close to their heart, and in the history of our club, he will be remembered as the club’s top scorer in the first league, as well as the third player with the most appearances for Cibalia in modern history. The club extends its sincere condolences to his family and friends,” HNK Cibalia Vinkovci announced.
The Croatian Football Federation also issued a statement expressing condolences to his family over the irreparable loss.
Mladen Bartolovic was born in 1977 in Zavidovici. He began his professional career at Segesta and spent the largest part of his career at Cibalia.
He also played for Dinamo Zagreb, with whom he won the Croatian Cup in 2004, as well as for Hajduk Split, NK Zagreb, the German club Saarbrucken, and the Iranian club Foolad. He made 17 appearances for the national team of BiH.
