Davide Santon
Encyclopedia
Davide Santon is an Italian
professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Newcastle United
, and for the Italian national team
. He started his career as an right sided attacker later reverting to an attacking full back who can play on both sides and is known for his energetic runs down the flank.
's youth system at age 14 from Ravenna
. He started out as a winger before moving into a defensive role. After helping the Primavera
side win the 2006–07 Campionato Primavera
and reaching the final play-off for a second consecutive season, he was called-up to join the first team for the 2008–09 pre-season training in South Tyrol
and training sessions during the first half of the season.
José Mourinho
first named Santon in the line up for a September Champions League
game against Panathinaikos and the next three games but did not use him. On 21 January 2009, Santon made his debut in the Coppa Italia
quarterfinal win against Roma
, playing the entire match. Four days later, he made his Serie A debut in a 1–0 victory against Sampdoria
. He made his European debut in the home draw with Manchester United
, tasked with marking Cristiano Ronaldo
. Santon garnered praise for his performance prompting Ronaldo to comment: . "I was impressed by Santon, he is a really interesting lad and a great footballer." Mourinho praised Santon for his personality and tactical versatility and Santon was handed the starting role for the next game. He started 13 league games and made two substitute appearances, thus winning his first senior honour, the 2008–09 Serie A title.
He had also become subject of praise from former Italy
head coach Marcello Lippi
in 2009, who described Santon as "A predestined that reminds of a young Paolo Maldini
."
Santon made his first appearance for Inter in the 2009–10 season against Parma
on Matchday 3, and subsequently started the game against Cagliari
the week after. He was out until the new year after sustaining a right knee lateral meniscus
injury while on international duty. He made his return in January as a substitute against Bari
and called back into the starting eleven for the injured Cristian Chivu
. However, his return was short-lived as he injured the same knee again after returning too soon from the previous injury and required surgery, thus sidelining him for another three to five weeks.
In 2010–11 season, as first Santon was an understudy of Chivu, but after Maicon's injury (and later Chivu), Santon returned to starting line-up in November (except the Milan derby and Champions League matchday 5). He then played twice as right wing-forward due to the injury crisis at Inter, the first one in a 5–2 win against Parma
; in that match the coach preferred Cordoba and Zanetti on both full back positions, which he also used in the Champions League against Twente
.
as part of the deal that saw Yuto Nagatomo
join Internazionale
in exchange.
on a 5 year contract, for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £5.3m. He instantly struck a chord with the Toon Army when he cheekily confessed he’d never seen a Mackem in Milan. (Intimating that Newcastle United's local rivals Sunderland
, never qualify to play in European competitions) He made his Newcastle debut on 16 October 2011 as a second half substitute against Tottenham Hotspur
.
squad in a friendly
against the Netherlands
, played at Parkstad Limburg Stadion
, Kerkrade
and ended in a 1–1 draw.
Santon made his debut with the senior Italian team
aged 18, on 6 June 2009 in a friendly game against Northern Ireland
played in Pisa
. He played the whole match and his solid performances earned him praise from his peers as well as coach Marcello Lippi
. Lippi was impressed enough to name him in the roster for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
, but Santon did not manage to make an appearance in the tournament.
As of 26 October 2011
1 includes Supercoppa Italiana
, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, and for the Italian national team
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
. He started his career as an right sided attacker later reverting to an attacking full back who can play on both sides and is known for his energetic runs down the flank.
Internazionale
Santon joined InterF.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
's youth system at age 14 from Ravenna
Ravenna Calcio
Ravenna Calcio is an Italian association football club, based in Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna. The club was founded in 1913 and refounded in 2001....
. He started out as a winger before moving into a defensive role. After helping the Primavera
F.C. Internazionale Milano Primavera
F.C. Internazionale Milano Primavera Team is the Under-20 team of F.C. Internazionale Milano, and plays in the Campionato Nazionale Primavera....
side win the 2006–07 Campionato Primavera
Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti
The Campionato Nazionale Primavera – Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti, is an Italian football competition played by youth teams of all Serie A and all Serie B clubs, and organized by the Football League. All players must be under 20, but two overaged are allowed in eliminatory rounds...
and reaching the final play-off for a second consecutive season, he was called-up to join the first team for the 2008–09 pre-season training in South Tyrol
South Tyrol
South Tyrol , also known by its Italian name Alto Adige, is an autonomous province in northern Italy. It is one of the two autonomous provinces that make up the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. The province has an area of and a total population of more than 500,000 inhabitants...
and training sessions during the first half of the season.
José Mourinho
José Mourinho
José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho is a Portuguese football manager and the current manager of Real Madrid. He is commonly known as "The Special One".Mourinho is regarded by some players, coaches and critics as the best ever coach in football....
first named Santon in the line up for a September Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
game against Panathinaikos and the next three games but did not use him. On 21 January 2009, Santon made his debut in the Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
quarterfinal win against Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
, playing the entire match. Four days later, he made his Serie A debut in a 1–0 victory against Sampdoria
U.C. Sampdoria
Unione Calcio Sampdoria is an Italian association football club based in Genoa. The club was formed in 1946 from the merger of two existing sports clubs whose roots can be traced back to the 1890s, Sampierdarenese and Andrea Doria...
. He made his European debut in the home draw with Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, tasked with marking Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
. Santon garnered praise for his performance prompting Ronaldo to comment: . "I was impressed by Santon, he is a really interesting lad and a great footballer." Mourinho praised Santon for his personality and tactical versatility and Santon was handed the starting role for the next game. He started 13 league games and made two substitute appearances, thus winning his first senior honour, the 2008–09 Serie A title.
He had also become subject of praise from former Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
head coach Marcello Lippi
Marcello Lippi
Marcello Lippi, Commendatore OMRI is a former Italian World Cup-winning football manager and former player. He served as Italian national team head coach from 16 July 2004 to 12 July 2006 and led Italy to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was re-appointed as Italian head coach in the summer of 2008...
in 2009, who described Santon as "A predestined that reminds of a young Paolo Maldini
Paolo Maldini
Paolo Cesare Maldini is an Italian former footballer who played as a left or central defender. He spent all 25 seasons of his career at Serie A club Milan, before retiring at the age of 41 in 2009, becoming a symbol and a legend of the club...
."
Santon made his first appearance for Inter in the 2009–10 season against Parma
Parma F.C.
Parma Football Club , commonly referred to as just Parma, is an Italian professional football club based in Parma, Emilia–Romagna that will compete in Serie A for the 2011–12 season, having finished in twelfth position last season. Founded as Verdi Foot Ball Club in July 1913, the club changed its...
on Matchday 3, and subsequently started the game against Cagliari
Cagliari Calcio
Cagliari Calcio is an Italian football club based in Cagliari, Sardinia. The club was formed in 1920 and currently plays in Italian Serie A, having spent a large part of recent years mainly in Serie A and Serie B....
the week after. He was out until the new year after sustaining a right knee lateral meniscus
Lateral meniscus
The lateral meniscus, also called the external semilunar fibrocartilage, is a fibrocartilaginous band that spans the lateral side of the interior of the knee joint. It is one of two menisci of the knee, the other being the medial meniscus. It is nearly circular and covers a larger portion of the...
injury while on international duty. He made his return in January as a substitute against Bari
A.S. Bari
Associazione Sportiva Bari is an Italian football club founded in 1908, they are based in Bari, Apulia and plays in Serie B. The club have spent many seasons bouncing between the top two divisions in Italian football, Serie A and Serie B....
and called back into the starting eleven for the injured Cristian Chivu
Cristian Chivu
Cristian Eugen Chivu is a Romanian footballer. He currently plays for Internazionale of the Italian Serie A. He usually plays as a left back but can play as a center back as well as in defensive midfield when needed....
. However, his return was short-lived as he injured the same knee again after returning too soon from the previous injury and required surgery, thus sidelining him for another three to five weeks.
In 2010–11 season, as first Santon was an understudy of Chivu, but after Maicon's injury (and later Chivu), Santon returned to starting line-up in November (except the Milan derby and Champions League matchday 5). He then played twice as right wing-forward due to the injury crisis at Inter, the first one in a 5–2 win against Parma
Parma F.C.
Parma Football Club , commonly referred to as just Parma, is an Italian professional football club based in Parma, Emilia–Romagna that will compete in Serie A for the 2011–12 season, having finished in twelfth position last season. Founded as Verdi Foot Ball Club in July 1913, the club changed its...
; in that match the coach preferred Cordoba and Zanetti on both full back positions, which he also used in the Champions League against Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
.
Cesena loan
On 31 January 2011, the final day of the transfer window, Santon was sent out on loan to CesenaA.C. Cesena
Associazione Calcio Cesena is an Italian football club based in Cesena, Romagna. The club was formed in 1940 and won the first promotion to Serie A in 1973. Since then, the club have been in the Italian Premier League for a total of in 11 seasons, reaching the best achievement in 1976 with the 6th...
as part of the deal that saw Yuto Nagatomo
Yuto Nagatomo
is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for Serie A club Internazionale.-Japan era:Nagatomo's grandfather Yoshida Tatsuo and Tatsuo's brother Minoru were famed professional bicycle racers who competed in Keirin. Nagatomo started playing soccer in kindergarten. He failed to join the Ehime F.C...
join Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
in exchange.
Newcastle United
On August 30, 2011, Santon signed for English club Newcastle UnitedNewcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
on a 5 year contract, for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £5.3m. He instantly struck a chord with the Toon Army when he cheekily confessed he’d never seen a Mackem in Milan. (Intimating that Newcastle United's local rivals Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, never qualify to play in European competitions) He made his Newcastle debut on 16 October 2011 as a second half substitute against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
.
International career
Santon has played for Italy since the U-16 level and made a goal-scoring debut on April 2007 in a 3–1 win over Slovenia. On 31 March 2009, he made his debut for the Italy U-21Italy national under-21 football team
The Italy national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Italy and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation.The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
squad in a friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
against the Netherlands
Netherlands national under-21 football team
The Netherlands national under-21 football team is the national under-21 team of the Netherlands and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association. The team competes in the European Under-21 Championship, held every two years....
, played at Parkstad Limburg Stadion
Parkstad Limburg Stadion
The Parkstad Limburg Stadion is a football stadium in Kerkrade, completed in 2000. With a present day capacity of 19.979 seats, the stadium was officially openend on August 15, 2000 with a friendly between Roda JC and Real Zaragoza ....
, Kerkrade
Kerkrade
Kerkrade is a town and a municipality in the southeastern Netherlands.It is the western half of the divided region and de facto city, taken together with the eastern half, the German town of Herzogenrath...
and ended in a 1–1 draw.
Santon made his debut with the senior Italian team
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
aged 18, on 6 June 2009 in a friendly game against Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
played in Pisa
Pisa
Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa...
. He played the whole match and his solid performances earned him praise from his peers as well as coach Marcello Lippi
Marcello Lippi
Marcello Lippi, Commendatore OMRI is a former Italian World Cup-winning football manager and former player. He served as Italian national team head coach from 16 July 2004 to 12 July 2006 and led Italy to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was re-appointed as Italian head coach in the summer of 2008...
. Lippi was impressed enough to name him in the roster for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup was the eighth Confederations Cup, and was held in South Africa from 14 June to 28 June 2009 as a prelude to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The draw was held on 22 November 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The opening match was played at Ellis Park...
, but Santon did not manage to make an appearance in the tournament.
Career statistics
| Club | League | Season | League | Cup Coppa Italia The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13... |
Europe | Other1 | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Internazionale F.C. Internazionale Milano Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always... |
Serie A Serie A Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new... |
2008–09 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| 2009–10 2009–10 Serie A The 2009–10 Serie A was the seventy-eighth season since its establishment. There were three promoted teams from the Serie B, replacing the three teams that were relegated following the 2008–09 season. Nike provided a new match ball - the T90 Ascente - for this season... |
12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 Serie A The 2010–11 Serie A was the 79th season since its establishment, the first under a league committee separate from Serie B. It began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 22 May 2011... |
12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||
| Cesena A.C. Cesena Associazione Calcio Cesena is an Italian football club based in Cesena, Romagna. The club was formed in 1940 and won the first promotion to Serie A in 1973. Since then, the club have been in the Italian Premier League for a total of in 11 seasons, reaching the best achievement in 1976 with the 6th... |
11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
Premier League | 2011-12 2011–12 Premier League The 2011–12 Premier League is the twentieth season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2011–12 fixtures were announced on 17 June 2011 at 9:00 BST. The season began on 13 August 2011 and is due to end on 13 May 2012... |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 52 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 67 | 0 | ||
As of 26 October 2011
1 includes Supercoppa Italiana
Supercoppa Italiana
The Supercoppa Italiana is a pre-season football competition held the week before the season begins in Italy every year. It is contested by the winners of the Serie A and the Coppa Italia in the previous season, as a curtain raiser to the new season. It is usually played at the home of the Serie A...
, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup
FIFA Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup is a football competition between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in January 2000...
Club
Internazionale- Serie ASerie ASerie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
(2): 2008–09Serie A 2008-09The 2008–09 Serie A was the seventy-seventh season since its establishment. It began on 30 August 2008 and ended on 31 May 2009, with the announcement of the list of fixtures made on 25 July 2008...
, 2009–10 - Coppa ItaliaCoppa ItaliaThe Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
(1): 2009–10 - UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
(1): 2009–102010 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 2010 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, on Saturday, 22 May 2010, to determine the winners of the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League. It was the first Champions League final to be played on a Saturday, rather than the... - Supercoppa ItalianaSupercoppa ItalianaThe Supercoppa Italiana is a pre-season football competition held the week before the season begins in Italy every year. It is contested by the winners of the Serie A and the Coppa Italia in the previous season, as a curtain raiser to the new season. It is usually played at the home of the Serie A...
(1): 20102010 Supercoppa Italiana- References :... - FIFA Club World CupFIFA Club World CupThe FIFA Club World Cup is a football competition between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in January 2000...
(1): 20102010 FIFA Club World Cup- Matches :If a match was tied after normal playing time, 30 minutes of extra time would be played. If still tied after extra time, a penalty shootout would be held to determine the winner...
External links
- Profile at the official Inter-homepage Profile on Italian FA official website