Fabiano Santacroce

Fabiano Santacroce

Personal information
Date of birth	24 August 1986 (1986-08-24)
Place of birth	Camaçari, Brazil
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current club	Parma (on loan from Napoli)
Number	33
Youth career
	Como
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2004–2005	Como	15	(0)
2005–2008	Brescia	43	(3)
2008–	Napoli	55	(0)
2011–	→ Parma (loan)	5	(0)
National team
2007–2009	Italy U-21	6	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21 January 2012. † Appearances (Goals).

Fabiano Santacroce (born 24 August 1986) is an Italian Brazilian central or left defender who currently plays association football for Serie A club Parma, on loan from Napoli. He was born in Brazil to an Italian father and a Afro-Brazilian mother, then spending his childhood in the Lombard town of Casatenovo, in Northern Italy.

Club career

Brescia

Santacroce moved to Brescia and played for their Primavera team before making his first team debut for the rondinelle in a Serie B game on 23 April 2006, against Cesena. He played at Brescia from 2005 to 2007, also ensuring a place in the Italian U-21 team due to his impressive performances with the Lombardian side.

Napoli

During the January 2008 transfer window, Serie A club Napoli completed the signing of Santacroce in a permanent move, becoming the third Brescia player to join the azzurri that year, the other two being Marek Hamšík and Daniele Mannini. He quickly established himself into Napoli's regular lineup, forming a valid defense duo with team captain Paolo Cannavaro, and playing very well throughout the remainder of the season. Santacroce has been described by a number of people in Italy, including Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis, as the "new Alessandro Nesta"

Games and Goals per club

Statistics accurate up until 19 September 2009

Season	Team	League			Domestic cup			European			Total
		Division	Games	Goals	Competition	Games	Goals	Competition	Games	Goals	Games	Goals
2004/05	Como	C1	13	0	CIC	0	0	–	–	–	13	0
Total Como			13	0		0	0		–	–	13	0
2005/06	Brescia	B	2	0	CI	0	0	–	–	–	2	0
2006/07		B	25	2	CI	1	0	–	–	–	26	2
2007/08		B	16	1	CI	1	0	–	–	–	17	1
Total Brescia			43	3		2	0		–	–	45	3
2007/08	Napoli	A	13	0	CI	0	0	–	–	–	13	0
2008/09		A	27	0	CI	1	0	CU	2	0	30	0
2009/10		A	1	0	CI	1	0	–	–	–	2	0
Total Napoli			41	0		2	0		2	0	45	0
Total			97	3		4	0		2	0	103	3

International career

"We live in intolerant times. If the presence of Santacroce with the national team sends a message against racism, I am happy about that."

The Italy manager, Marcello Lippi, on calling up Santacroce.

Santacroce has been a member of the Italy U-21 national team from 2007 to 2009.

In 2008–09, Santacroce was confirmed as a Napoli regular, and his performances were quickly noted by new Italy head coach Marcello Lippi, who on 5 October 2008 called him to join the azzurri squad for the FIFA World Cup 2010 qualification matches against Bulgaria and Montenegro. However, he was an unused substitute during these matches, and is yet to make his senior international debut. Santacroce dedicated his first senior call-up to his former Como youth team coach Stefano Borgonovo, who is battling Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

External links

• Player profile on Napoli's official website