Daniel Díaz

Daniel Alberto 'Cata' Díaz (born March 13 1979 in San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca) is an Argentina Football (soccer) defender. He is a strong defender known for his powerful shot. His primary position is right back or right wing back but he has played many times also at centre back.

Biography

Nicknamed Cata because of his home provinces of Argentina of Catamarca Province, he started playing at youth amateur local team Juventud de Catamarca before moving in 1997 to the youth team of Rosario Central. He played his first professional match in 2000 with Rosario Central

Daniel Díaz moved to Club Deportivo Cruz Azul in 2003. After only one season with the Mexico club, he returned to Argentina to become Alfio Basile's captain in Colón de Santa Fe. Short after he received offers to move to Argentine giants Boca Juniors and River Plate, but being at that time Basile Boca's coach Díaz decided to transfer to Boca Juniors, for around 3 million US dollars.

Cata Díaz made his debut for Boca in their 4–1 victory over Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy and was a big part in their 2005 Apertura-winning campaign, their Recopa Sudamericana triumph over Once Caldas of Colombia and their Copa Sudamericana win over UNAM Pumas of Mexico.

The defender was rumoured to be signing for Getafe CF but Real Betis, directed by new coach Héctor Cúper, have bid €5,000,000 for the centre back. In the end, Getafe landed him for 6 million €.

International career

With the Argentina national football team, Díaz played 3 friendly matches.

Mostly recently being called into Alfio Basile's squad to play Australia on Sept 11th 2007

He was also part of the Argentina Copa América 2007 Copa América 2007 squads.

Titles

- Primera División Argentina 2005-2006 in Argentine football Torneo Clausura ("Closing" Tournament) (with Boca Juniors)
- Recopa Sudamericana 2005 (with Boca Juniors)
- Primera División Argentina 2005-2006 in Argentine football Torneo Apertura ("Opening" Tournament) (with Boca Juniors)
- Copa Sudamericana 2005 (with Boca Juniors)
- Copa Libertadores 2007 (with Boca Juniors)