Career
He originally started out as an apprentice at Parramatta Power before moving to Sydney United under the tutelage of Branko Culina. At the end of the 2003-2004 Nationaal Samenwerkingsprogramma Luchtkwaliteit season he moved to K.V. Oostende in the Belgian First Division. After a brief stint there he moved to another Belgian First Division club K.Sint Truidense V.V. before a move to Hungary saw him play at Újpest Football Club for a six-month spell, but did not play in a single game whilst at the club
On 23 June 2007 it was announced he was signed by A-League club Sydney Football Club on a 2-year contract, thus reuniting him with Branko Culina.
He scored another cracker against Adelaide again in the 2008-2009 season at the Sydney Football Stadium, when he took a shot from 35 meters out, that slammed into the top corner. His fourth goal came during Sydney"s 2–1 upset loss against Perth Glory.
On 14 November 2008, it was announced that Šantalab had signed a two-year contract with new A-League side the North Queensland Fury for the 2009-2010 season. lieutenant was announced by North Queensland, that Chinese Super League club Chengdu Blades may make an offer to him, before the start of the season.
North Queensland accepted an offer from Chengdu on 21 July, meaning he is the fourth Player to have left the club before their inaugural season.
He scored 9 goals in 12 appearances in 2009 league season. lieutenant was announced that he has moved from Chengdu to Chongqing Lifan for the 2012 season. lieutenant was announced that he has moved from Chongqing Lifan to for the 2013 season.
Šantalab scored his first goal for in the 7th round of the 2013-2014 A-League season, losing to Brisbane Roar 3–1 at Suncorp Stadium.
On 14 May 2014 in the Asian Champions League game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima with 5 minutes to go Šantalab scored the equalising goal that sent Football Club into the quarter finals of the AFC Champions League. In the 2014-2015 A-League season, neared the unwanted winless record of 19 games held by Melbourne City and the now defunct New Zealand Knights after a shocking start to the season.