Dani Rodrigues

Daniel 'Dani' Ferreira Rodrigues (born 3 March 1980) is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a winger.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Ferreira and the second or paternal family name is Rodrigues.
Dani Rodrigues
Personal information
Full name Daniel Ferreira Rodrigues
Date of birth (1980-03-03) 3 March 1980
Place of birth São João da Madeira, Portugal
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
1990–1997 Feirense
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–1999 Feirense 22 (1)
1998–1999 → AFC Bournemouth (loan) 5 (0)
1999–2002 Southampton 2 (0)
2000 → Bristol City (loan) 4 (0)
2001–2002 → Bristol City (loan) 4 (0)
2002–2003 Walsall 1 (0)
2003–2004 Ionikos 14 (2)
2004 Yeovil Town 4 (4)
2004–2006 AFC Bournemouth 52 (6)
2006–2007 New Zealand Knights 4 (0)
2007 Eastleigh 4 (0)
2007 Dorchester Town 4 (0)
2007–2008 Digenis Akritas 6 (0)
2008–2009 Onisilos 16 (1)
2009–2010 ASIL Lysi 24 (4)
2010–2011 Omonia Aradippou 23 (2)
2011–2012 Doxa 0 (0)
Total 189 (20)
International career
1998–1999 Portugal U20 6 (1)
2002 Portugal U21 2 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Portugal

Born in São João da Madeira, Rodrigues started his career for C.D. Feirense, playing one full season in the Segunda Liga. In November 1998 he went on loan to AFC Bournemouth in England, being spotted by scouts from nearby Premier League club Southampton who recommended him to manager Glenn Hoddle.

England

In an act of "un-neighbourly piracy",[1] Southampton nipped in and signed Rodrigues from Feirense for £200,000. He played two games as a substitute at the end of the 1999–2000 campaign, against Leicester City[2] and Wimbledon.[3]

Rodrigues showed promise and, when he went on loan to Bristol City at the end of 2000, he was an instant hit, but he broke an ankle in a match against Reading. He returned to the Saints and was fighting his way back to full fitness, when he broke the same ankle in training.[1]

In an effort to rebuild his career, Rodrigues spent another spell on loan to Bristol City. Southampton released him from his contract in July 2002, and he was acquired by Walsall on a free transfer.[1]

Greece / Return to England

Rodrigues was released by Walsall in January 2003, having made just one substitute appearance against Ipswich Town.[4] He moved to Ionikos F.C. from Greece shortly after, scoring both of his Super League goals for the side in the last round as they narrowly avoided top-flight relegation.

In March 2004, Rodrigues returned to England by joining Yeovil Town on a short-term contract, and netted four times in as many appearances, including a brace after coming off the bench on his debut against Bury.[5] His exploits impressed Bournemouth boss Sean O'Driscoll, and he re-joined the latter for a second spell at the start of 2004–05.

In his second spell at Dean Court, with the club still competing in the Football League One, Rodrigues scored seven goals from 60 competitive matches.

New Zealand Knights

In August 2006, Rodrigues signed for New Zealand Knights FC (who however took part in the Australian A-League). He was seriously injured once again, this time with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament which kept him out of the game for the rest of the season.[6]

Final spell in England

On 20 September 2007, Rodrigues joined Eastleigh.[7] He was soon deemed surplus to requirements, after the arrival of new manager Ian Baird.

On 2 November of the same year, Rodrigues moved to the Conference South with Dorchester Town.[8] He made his debut in a match at Newport County on the following day; on 29 December, the Magpies announced the player would not remain with the team.[9]

Cyprus

For the 2008–09 campaign, Rodrigues signed for Onisilos Sotira in the Cypriot Second Division. He would remain in the country in the following years, representing several clubs.

References
  1. Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (2003). In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC. Hagiology Publishing. p. 572. ISBN 0-9534474-3-X.
  2. "Southampton 1 Leicester 2". Sporting Life. 29 April 2000. Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  3. "Southampton 2 Wimbledon 0". Sporting Life. 24 May 2000. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  4. "Ipswich (h) – League – 10th August 2002". Up The Saddlers. 10 August 2002. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  5. "Yeovil 2–1 Bury". BBC Sport. 17 April 2004. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  6. "Rodrigues season over". New Zealand Knights. 18 October 2006. Archived from the original on 13 November 2006. Retrieved 28 November 2006.
  7. Gee, Wendy (21 September 2007). "Ex-Saints foreigners sign for Eastleigh". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 21 September 2007.
  8. "Dani signs for Dorch". Dorchester Town F.C. 2 November 2007. Archived from the original on 4 November 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2007.
  9. "Two more leave The Magpies". Dorchester Town F.C. 31 December 2007. Archived from the original on 3 February 2008. Retrieved 20 January 2008.
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