Born in Hamilton, Ontario,[1] Gavran started playing youth soccer at age six with Hamilton Croatia SC, initially playing as a striker, switching to goalkeeper when he was 13.[2][3] He also spent some time in the Dinamo Zagreb youth development system.[4] Afterwards, he joined GPS Academy.[5] With GPS he won a Vase Cup title in Northern Ireland in 2017 and was the Ontario Academy Soccer League Goalie of the Year.[6][7]
College career
In 2018, he received a scholarship to St. John's University to play for the men's soccer team.[5] He redshirted his first year in 2018.[3] He made his debut on August 30, 2019 against the Appalachian State Mountaineers.[8] After splitting time in net during his first two seasons, he became the full-time starter during his junior year in 2021, leading the country in shutouts and save percentage.[9] In September 2021, he earned back-to-back Big East Goalkeeper of the Week honours.[10][11] In 2021, he was named Big East Goalkeeper of the Year,[12] a College Soccer News Second Team All-American,[13] and a United Soccer Coaches Third-team All-American.[14]
In 2022, he was selected in the 2nd round (31st overall) in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC.[16][17] After attending pre-season with Toronto FC,[18] in March 2022, he signed a professional contract with the second team, Toronto FC II, in MLS Next Pro.[19] He made his debut on April 3 against FC Cincinnati 2.[20] He was named MLS Next Pro Goalkeeper of the Month for July 2022.[21][22] In August 2022, he was named as a competitor for the MLS All-Stars Skills Challenge ahead of the 2022 MLS All-Star Game.[23] On June 21, 2023, he signed a short-term loan with the Toronto FC first team.[24][25] He signed a second short term loan a few days later on June 24.[26][27]
In August 2023, he signed a contract with the Toronto FC first team for the remainder of the 2023 season, with club options for 2024 and 2025.[28][29] His signing came via the MLS Extreme Hardship rule as Toronto had fewer than two available goalkeepers.[30] He later re-joined the second team on loan for some matches.[31] He made his Major League Soccer debut for the first team on September 24, 2023 in a loss against New York City FC, where he saved a penalty kick during the match.[32] He recorded his first clean sheets in March 2024, posting shutouts against Charlotte FC and Atlanta United FC.[33] In January 2025, he extended his contract through the 2027 season, with an option for 2028.[34][35]
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