A versatile offensive player, he played in forward or attacking midfield positions, and was also deployed as a wing-back in the Croatia national team.

Born in Sarajevo, Stanić started his career with hometown club Željezničar.

In 1995, he arrived at Club Brugge and was top scorer of the Belgian First Division that year with 20 goals.

[1] Stanić made his league debut in a 4–2 home win against West Ham United in August 2000, where he scored a brace, one of them a strike from 35 yards.

His last international appearance came in April 2003 as a half-time substitute in a friendly match against Sweden.