Norwich City hero Mario Vrancic has returned to his home country to join Sarajevo, a move the club have described as 'one of the most famous transfers in the history of the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina'.

The 33-year-old has cut short his temporary move with Croatian side Rijeka in order to move to one of the most successful sides in the country on loan.

Vrancic, who is still contracted to City's Championship rivals Stoke, will spend the remainder of the season at the Kosevo City Stadium - a move that will take him to the end of his contract with Alex Neil's side. 

Sarajevo currently sit 5th in the table, 14 points behind league leaders Zrinjski Mostar. They are owned by Cardiff City investor Vincent Tan, who purchased the club in 2013 in an attempt to build strong footballing links with the Welsh club. 

Vrancic has made just 13 appearances for Rijeka this season and hasn't been involved in a matchday squad since their 7-2 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in November. 

New Rijeka boss Sergej Jakirovic informed Vrancic that he didn't fit into his plans moving forward, with the Bosnian international then agreeing to depart. Sarajevo have taken over his loan until the end of the campaign. 

Vrancic left Norwich in 2021 upon the end of his contract having made 134 appearances for the club during a four-year spell in Norfolk that included two Championship titles, 17 goals and 16 assists. 

He is remembered fondly for his contribution at Carrow Road having become a firm fans favourite during his time at Norwich. 

The Pink Un: Mario Vrancic was a two time Championship title winner at Norwich City.Mario Vrancic was a two time Championship title winner at Norwich City. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

This move marks the first time in his professional career that Vrancic has played football in Bosnia, after being forced to flee the war-torn country back in 1994.

Vrancic originally comes from Brod, on the southern bank of the Sava river from Slavonski Brod, which straddled the border between Bosnia and Croatia. It was one of the first towns to be hit by conflict when the Bosnian war broke out in 1992.

His Premier League experience saw him become a popular and well-known figure in his home country, with his arrival at Sarajevo met with real excitement by football fans in Bosnia.