Daniel Marcio Fernandes
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| Daniel Fernandes | ||
| Image:Danielfernandes.jpg | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Daniel Marcio Fernandes | |
| Date of birth | September 25, 1983 (age 23) | |
| Place of birth | Edmonton, Canada | |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.78 m) | |
| Nickname | Dani,Thunder | |
| Position | Goalie | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | PAOK FC | |
| Number | 1 | |
| National team | ||
| {{{nationalyears}}} | [Portugal] | {{{nationalcaps(goals)}}} |
Daniel ' Dani' Marcio Fernandes (born 25 September 1983 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) is an Portuguese footballer. He is currently the first choice goalkeeper of Greek football club PAOK FC.
Contents |
[edit] Early Days
He started playing as a goalkeeper in FC Porto. FC Porto, Jahn Regensburg II and Celta de Vigo released him on a free transfer. Having some connections in Greece, he was picked up on trial basis from PAOK FC. Former coach Aggelos Anastasiadis recognised his talent and so, he signed his first contract with PAOK.
[edit] Years on the bench
His first two years in Thessaloniki, weren't as successful he would have wanted. PAOK coach Nikos Karageorgiou did not trust Dani, thinking he was too inexpierienced to play just yet. He barely had any chances to prove himself, apart from friendly games and low-danger matches, and was virtually unknown to the fans. Yet, he never stopped working hard.
[edit] Becoming first choice
In 2005, PAOK's General Manager and veteran player, Giorgos Kostikos, took over the club's fortunes, after coach Nikos Karageorgiou was sacked following a bad string of results. He immediately replaced aging keeper Kyriakos Tochouroglou in his starting eleven with Dani. Many people were surprised by this choice, yet it was probably his best decision in his rather short-term career as a coach. He is largely responsible for salvaging an otherwise disappointing 2005-2006 season, when he played in almost all games, in the greek league and cup alike. His countless vital saves, stability and steadfastness were praised both by players and by the media. Despite many problems, both inside and outside the pitch, PAOK managed to qualify for the 2006-2007 UEFA Cup and made reasonably good appearances in the 2005-2006 UEFA Cup group stage, despite failing to qualify to the next round.
[edit] Staying in PAOK
In summer 2006, his name was rumored to be in many teams' target list, like VfB Stuttgart and Manchester United. Yet a transfer was never the case, as Dani himself admitted to be very happy with his career in Thessaloniki, and recently extended his contract until the year 2008.
As of October 2006, English giants Chelsea FC are said to have taken Dani into consideration as a future transfer, following the serious injury of first-choice keeper Petr Čech and second-choice Carlo Cudicini. Thinking of the serious financial problems that are plaguing the club in recent years, PAOK fans are holding their breath, wishing Dani will not end up as another promising player leaving PAOK over money.
