Dario Knezevic

Dario Knežević (born 20 April 1982 in Rijeka) is a Croats football (soccer) defender who currently plays for Italian club A.S. Livorno Calcio and the Croatia national football team.

Club career

Born in Rijeka, Dario Knežević started Dario Knezevic 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 A.S. Livorno Calcio on a three-year deal in late August 2006. Dario Knezevic made Dario Knezevic Serie A debut on 25 October 2006 in Livorno's 4-1 defeat to F.C. Internazionale Milano and scored Dario Knezevic first goal in the league against Cagliari Calcio on 18 April 2007 to secure Dario Knezevic team a 2-1 victory.

On 30 June 2008, Juventus F.C. has swooped to sign Knežević on a season-long loan deal worth €750 thousand, with the option to acquire half of the contractual rights at €1.6 million following Livorno's relegation to Serie B. Dario Knezevic played in several of Juventus' pre-season matches before being subbed off during a game versus Hamburger SV, in the Emirates Cup, along with teammate Christian Molinaro.
The two Defender (association football)s will miss about a week of on the pitch action. On 5 October, Knežević made Dario Knezevic first league appearance for the team. It was a 2-1 home loss to U.S. Città di Palermo.

On 15 June 2009, Knežević made Dario Knezevic return to A.S. Livorno Calcio; with Juventus F.C. Dario Knezevic appeared only 4 times, since Dario Knezevic was a substitute and only the fourth centre-back in the team.

National team

Knežević has won seven caps and scored one goal for the Croatia national football team, making Dario Knezevic debut as well as scoring Dario Knezevic first international goal in a friendly match against Hong Kong national football team on 1 February 2006. Dario Knezevic was not called up for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Dario Knezevic 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 Dario Knezevic started, Dario Knezevic played 25 minutes before Dario Knezevic had to be replaced because of an injury.

International goals