Dario Knežević (born 20 April 1982) is a former

Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capit ...

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who played as a defender.

Club career

Born in Rijeka, Knežević started his professional career with the city's First League side NK Rijeka in 2002 and subsequently made 115 appearances in the league before moving to Livorno on a three-year deal in late August 2006. He made his

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debut on 25 October 2006 in Livorno's 4–1 defeat to

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and scored his first goal in the league against Cagliari on 18 April 2007 to secure his team a 2–1 victory. On 30 June 2008, Juventus has swooped to sign Knežević on a season-long loan deal worth €750,000, with the option to acquire half of the contractual rights at €1.6 million following Livorno's relegation to

Serie B The Serie B (), currently named Serie BKT for sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It has been operating for over ninety years since the 1929–30 season. It had been ...

. On 5 October, Knežević made his first league appearance for the team. It was a 2–1 home loss to Palermo. He made just four appearances all season, three in the league and one in the

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in a 2–2 draw with

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. On 15 June 2009, Knežević made his return to Livorno. He immediately became a mainstay in the side, but the team was relegated from the 2009–10 Serie A. The following season, Knežević made 31 appearances as Livorno finished ninth in the 2010–11 Serie B. In the

2011–12 Serie B The 2011–12 Serie B (known as the Serie bwin for sponsorship reasons) was the eightieth season since its establishment in 1929. A total of 22 teams will contest the league: 15 of which returning from the 2010–11 season, four of which promot ...

season, Knežević again made 31 appearances in all competitions as the side narrowly avoided relegation. Knežević then decided to leave Livorno. He made 140 appearances for the Italian side in his two spells with the club. Knežević return to his first professional club Rijeka in June 2012. He assumed the captaincy and led the club to a third-place finish in 2012–13, missing just two games all season. The following season, Knežević led Rijeka to the group stages of the

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, where they managed four points with four draws in the group stage but were still eliminated. He made 38 appearances in all competitions, a career high. In the 2014–15 season, Knežević made just two appearances, both towards the end of the season. Seeing he had little left to contribute at Rijeka, Knežević left the club in September 2015, terminating his contract by mutual consent. Knežević said he would rest until the winter and then make a decision about his future. He eventually retired from professional football.

International career

Knežević has won 13 caps and scored one goal for the Croatia national team, making his debut as well as scoring his first international goal in a friendly match against

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on 1 February 2006. He was not called up for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was a regular part of Croatian team in qualifying matches for 2008 European Championship. Knežević came on as a substitute in two tournament matches, but in the third match which he started, he played 25 minutes before he had to be replaced because of an injury. His final international was a November 2009

friendly match An exhibition game (also known as a friendly, a scrimmage, a demonstration, a preseason game, a warmup match, or a preparation match, depending at least in part on the sport) is a sporting event whose prize money and impact on the player's or ...

against

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Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

Honours

;Rijeka * Croatian Cup (3): 2005, 2006,

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References

External links

*
Dario Knežević
profile, detailed club and national team statistics, honours (palmares) and timeline
Become A Croatia Fan Website – Dario Knežević Player ProfilePrva HNL statistics
{{DEFAULTSORT:Knezevic, Dario 1982 births Living people Footballers from Rijeka Men's association football defenders Croatian men's footballers Croatia men's international footballers UEFA Euro 2008 players HNK Orijent players HNK Rijeka players US Livorno 1915 players Juventus FC players HNK Rijeka II players First Football League (Croatia) players Croatian Football League players Serie A players Serie B players Croatian expatriate men's footballers Expatriate men's footballers in Italy Croatian expatriate sportspeople in Italy