Dan Twardzik
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Daniel Twardzik | ||
| Date of birth | 13 April 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Třinec, CSFR | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Bayern Munich | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2009–2011 | Karlsruher SC II | 22 | (0) |
| 2011–2013 | Calcio Como | 0 | (0) |
| 2013 | Aberdeen | 0 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Dundee | 2 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | → Motherwell (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2014–2016 | Motherwell | 25 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| Germany U18 | 2 | (0) | |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:20, 26 January 2016 (UTC). | |||
Daniel "Dan" Twardzik (born 13 April 1991) is a German footballer of Czech and Polish descent who plays as a goalkeeper. He is currently without a club after leaving Scottish Premiership club Motherwell in January 2016.
Career
Early career
Twardzik trained with Bayern Munich as a youngster,[1] and after leaving the German giants in 2009, trained with Scottish club Motherwell.[2] Compensation issues were to kill off any possibility of a move to Fir Park, so he signed on at Karlsruher SC.[3] In 2011 he moved to Italian football with Calcio Como.[1] Having struggled to make an impact there, Twardzik was recruited by Scottish club Aberdeen.[4]
Twardzik did not make a single appearance for the Pittodrie club, as he was used mostly as a back-up to Jamie Langfield. He was released at the end of the 2012–13 season.[5] The following season, Twardzik moved down a division and signed for relegated SPL club Dundee. Again, Twardzik found his first-team opportunities very hard to come by.[6]
After making his return, Twardzik made his debut for Dundee on 25 January 2014, coming on as a substitute against Falkirk, after first choice goalkeeper Kyle Letheren had been sent off. He immediately saved a penalty but couldn't stop Dundee losing 2–0.[7] After spending the reminder of the season being a back-up for Letheren, Twardzik futures appears to be uncertain following the club's promotion to the Scottish Premiership.[8] The fear was later confirmed of Twardzik leaving the club.[9]
Motherwell
With both Lee Hollis and Gunnar Nielsen out injured, Twardzik went on an emergency one-month loan to Motherwell.[3] He made his debut, and indeed his first ever appearance in Scottish football, in a 2–1 win away to Ross County.[10] He made five appearance for the club, Twardzik returned to Dundee when his loan spell with Motherwell had expired.[11] After his loan spell with Motherwell ended, the club attempt to extend his loan for the second time.[12] That didn't happen.
On 23 May 2014, Twardzik returned to Motherwell, signing a two year contract.[13] Following the move, Twardzik says he aiming to become the first goalkeeper for the second time running.[14] Twardzik re-debut for Motherwell, in the second round of Europa League; first leg, in a 2–2 draw against Icelandic side Stjarnan.[15] However in the return leg, Twardzik came under criticism when he allowed the opposition team take a lead in extra time, which the match finished 3–2 for Stjaran, eliminating Motherwell in the Europa League.[16] Twardzik started in goal, in the opening game of the season, in a 1–0 win over St Mirren.[17] Since his debut, Twardzik become the first choice goalkeeper, having put in faith by Manager Stuart McCall.[2]
On 26 January 2016, Twardzik left Motherwell by mutual consent.[18]
International career
Despite being of Czech origin, Twardzik also claims German nationality.[3] He made two appearances for the Germany Under 18 team.
Personal life
Twardzik is an older brother to Celtic twins Filip and Patrik. His father René also played as a goalkeeper. Twardzik speaks five languages and is a fan of travelling.[19]
References
- 1 2 Učil se i od Kahna, teď Twardzik číslo 3 zaujal ve Skotsku, iSport.cz, Retrieved 3 February 2015 (Czech)
- 1 2 "Motherwell keeper Dan Twardzik vows to hit the heights at Fir Park and prove he's not too small to be No.1". Daily Record. 20 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Twardzik joins on emergency loan". Motherwell F.C. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
- ↑ "Aberdeen agree terms for goalkeeper Dan Twardzik". British Broadcasting Corporation. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
- ↑ "Aberdeen to release 11 players at end of season". British Broadcasting Corporation. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
- ↑ "Our mid-term report looks at Dundee’s nine new signings". The Evening Telegraph. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ↑ "Dark Blues well beaten by Bairns". dundeefc.co.uk. 25 January 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ↑ "Dundee gaffer Hartley set to wield axe at Dens Park". Evening Telegraph. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ↑ "Dundee trio set to be on their way out of Dens". Evening Telegraph. 16 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ↑ "Ross County 1–2 Motherwell". British Broadcasting Corporation. 14 December 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
- ↑ "Dundee boss weighs up his options". Evening Telegraph. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ↑ "Transfer news: Motherwell could make another move for Dan Twardzik". Sky Sports. 25 January 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ↑ "Motherwell sign goalkeeper Dan Twardzik after Dundee exit". British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
- ↑ "Motherwell goalkeeper Dan Twardzik sets his sights on claiming the number one jersey at Fir Park". Daily Record. 29 June 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
- ↑ "Europa League qualifier: Motherwell 2–2 UMF Stjarnan". BBC Sport. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
- ↑ "Motherwell keeper Dan Twardzik: I just hope I don't catch it from the boss for my extra time Euro howler". Daily Record. 27 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
- ↑ "Motherwell 1–0 St Mirren". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
- ↑ "Goalkeeper Dan Twardzik departs". Motherwell F.C. 26 January 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ↑ "I trained with Bayern Munich now I want to be No 1 at Dundee". Evening Telegraph. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.