Ivan Mršić


Ivan Mršić, also known as John Mrsic and Big J, is a Yugoslav retired footballer.
Born in Teslić, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, he began his career in 1963, with local club FK Proleter Teslić. He was picked up by bigger club FK Borac Banja Luka the next season. He turned down an offer from Croatian Giants HNK Hajduk Split and went on to play with many Yugoslav clubs including three first division clubs NK Olimpija Ljubljana, FK Radnički 1923, and Yugoslav power house FK Partizan Belgrade although only playing two matches, both friendly. He finished his European career playing with FK Spartak Subotica and FK Pelister in the Yugoslav Second League before coming and playing professional in the United States for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in 1978. After a season he went on to play for ASL's Columbus Magic In 1981, Mršić signed with the Cleveland Force of the Major Indoor Soccer League. He then moved to Canada where he finished his career with Toronto Croatia.
His son, Simon Mrsic, born 1991, is also a footballer, and has played with San Jose Earthquakes reserve team and of NK Osijek, FK Rudar Prijedor and FK Bačka Bačka Palanka.