Dario Knezevic

Dario Knežević (born April 20 1982) is a Croats football (soccer) defender. He currently plays for Italian giants Juventus F.C..

Club career

Born in Rijeka, he started his professional career with the city's Croatian First League side NK Rijeka in 2002 and subsequently made 115 appearances in the league before moving to Livorno on a three-year deal in late August 2006. He made his Serie A debut on October 25, 2006 in Livorno's 4-1 defeat to F.C. Internazionale Milano and scored his first goal in the league against Cagliari Calcio on April 18, 2007 to secure his team a 2-1 victory.

On June 21, 2008, Corriere dello Sport reported that Juventus has swooped to sign Knežević on a season-long loan deal worth £200,000, with the option to make the move permanent at £1million following Livorno's relegation to Serie B. However, no official statements regarding the deal has been made from player nor club. On June 30, 2008 Italian media sources confirmed that he has signed a five year deal with Juventus. He played in several of Juventus' pre-season matches before being subbed off during a game versus Hamburg SV, in the Emirates Cup, along with teamate Christian Molinaro. The two Defender (association football)s will miss about a week of on the pitch action.

National team

Knežević won 7 caps and scored one goal for the Croatia national football team, making his debut as well as scoring his first international goal in a friendly match against Hong Kong national football team on February 1, 2006. He was a regular part of Croatian team in qualifying matches for 2008 UEFA European Football Championship. Knežević came on as a substitute in two tournament matches, but in the third match which he started, he played 25 minutes before he had to be replaced because of an injury.