Italian footballer

Mattia C*ani (Italian pronunciation::; born 26 August 1983) is an Italian footballer who last played as a defender for Bari.

Contents

• 1 Club career
  • 1.1 Juventus
  • 1.2 Verona
  • 1.3 Palermo
  • 1.4 Fiorentina
  • 1.5 Parma
  • 1.6 Return to Sampdoria
• 2 International career
• 3 Style of play
• 4 Career statistics
  • 4.1 Club
  • 4.2 International
• 5 References
• 6 External links

Club career

Juventus

C*ani started his career at Juventus during the 2002–03 Serie A season, and then left for Sampdoria on loan in January 2003.

Verona

In June 2003 he left for Hellas Verona on loan with an option to buy him outright for €800,000, C*ani was awarded the number 83 shirt. The loan was extended for one more year in the same month. In June 2005, Verona bought him in a co-ownership deal for €400,000. With Juventus facing the 2006 Italian football scandal they terminated all co-ownership deals, either selling or buying back, Verona bought C*ani outright in June 2006 for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around €1.43M.

Palermo

C*ani, who had made a name for himself as a versatile fullback, capable of playing on either flank, joined Palermo on 1 July 2006, for €2.5 million on a five-year contract along with teammate Gianni Munari (who joined the club in a co-ownership deal for €1 million on a four-year contract). That season Palermo also sold Fabio Grosso.

On 6 April 2008, C*ani scored his first professional goal, a late 28 yard shot which gave Palermo a 3–2 home win against his former club Juventus ending a string of four consecutive defeats.

In October 2008, his contract was renewed until 30 June 2013. C*ani extended his contract again during the 2010–11 season, until 30 June 2015. C*ani also served as team captain during the first period of the 2010–11 season due to the absence of both Fabrizio Miccoli and Fabio Liverani.

On 2 February 2011, C*ani made his 151st appearance with Palermo, thus becoming the most capped player in Serie A history for the rosanero.

Fiorentina

On 24 August 2011 he moved to Fiorentina on loan, for €2 million, with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season, for another €2.75 million. On 2 July 2012 he moved permanently to Fiorentina for the pre-agreed price on a three-year contract.

On 30 January 2013 he moved to Genoa in a temporary deal with the option to purchase, rejoining Rubén Olivera. In June 2013 Genoa did not excise their option to buy C*ani and sold Nenad Tomović to Fiorentina in a forced auction, as both clubs failed to form an agreement before the deadline. On 7 July 2013, C*ani and Olivera were included in La Viola's pre-season friendly. Both players were not in the starting line-up.

Parma

On 8 August 2013, C*ani was signed by Parma on a temporary deal with the option to buy. In July 2014 he was signed outright.

Return to Sampdoria

On 2 July 2015, C*ani joined Sampdoria on a free transfer, having been recently released by Parma.

International career

C*ani was capped at U20 level, a development squad to fill the gap between U19 team and the U21.

He also played for the U21 B team consisting of Serie B players, against Belgium U21 on 30 March 2004. On the same day Italy U21 team also scheduled a match against Portugal U21.

In May 2009, C*ani got his first senior national call-up to play for Italy against Northern Ireland, but did not make his debut on that occasion. After receiving his second call-up for Italy's friendlies against the Netherlands and Sweden in November later that year, he made his international debut on 18 November 2009, coming on as a subs*ute for Christian Maggio in a 1–0 friendly win against Sweden, earning praise for his performance.

Although he was initially named to Lippi's 30 and 28-men provisional 2010 FIFA World Cup squads, he was not included in the 23-men final squad for the tournament, as Italy suffered a first round elimination.

On 6 August 2010, he received his first call-up under new Italy manager Cesare Prandelli for a friendly match against the Ivory Coast, making a subs*ute appearance in a 1–0 defeat, coming on for Marco Motta in the 70th minute of the match. C*ani was subsequently also called up for Italy's UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers against Estonia and the Faroe Islands, making his first compe*ive appearance for Italy, and his first international appearance as a starter in a 2–1 away win over Estonia on 3 September 2010; in total he made 4 appearances in the European qualifiers.

Style of play

A quick, energetic and versatile right-footed full-back, although he is usually deployed on the right, C*ani is capable of playing along either flank, and is effective both offensively and defensively, due to his good defensive skills, consistency and work-rate, as well as his crossing accuracy, technique, and ability to make attacking runs; he has also occasionally been deployed as a centre-back, due to his tenacity and physique.

Career statistics

Club

As of 31 July 2013

International

As of 11 September 2012

References

External links

• Lega Serie A profile (in Italian)
• FIGC profile (in Italian)
• Mattia C*ani at Soccerway