Boksic - great pace and a silky touch (Allsport).

Position: Forward
Born: 31.01.70
Club: Middlesbrough

One of the leading strikers in Europe and still proving a potent threat in the Premiership with Middlesbrough.

His career took off with Marseille where he scored 26 goals in 49 games to earn an £8m move to Lazio.

Was known as "The Croat Van Basten" after bursting onto the European scene.

A two-and-a-half year spell followed in Rome with the striker netting 17 goals in 67 appearances.

Despite that relatively disappointing return, the Croatian had done enough to convince Juventus to take him on for another hefty fee.

A first-choice striker in their star-studded line-up, it came as something of a surprise when a year and a Champions League final later he was back in Rome.

Boksic enjoyed a further three-year stint with Lazio and was a central figure as the club returned to its former glories.

A string of top-notch displays cemented his reputation as one of the most prolific strikers in world football.

He was also in dazzling form for Croatia during this period and his performances persuaded Middlesbrough boss Bryan Robson to part with £2.5 million and reputed club-record wages at the start of the 2000/01 season.

Despite joining a struggling side, Boksic continued to produce top performances and he returned from self-imposed semi-retirement to fire home the only goal as Croatia booked their World Cup place with victory over Belgium last October.

Was one of the main reasons Middlesbrough avoided relegation in 2000-2001, and still possesses the pace and silky touch that terrorises defenders.