Dan Twardzik
German footballer (born 1991)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dan Twardzik (born 13 April 1991) is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Dan Twardzik | ||
| Date of birth | 13 April 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Třinec, CSFR | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Bayern Munich | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2009–2011 | Karlsruher SC II | 22 | (0) |
| 2011–2013 | Como | 0 | (0) |
| 2013 | Aberdeen | 0 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Dundee | 2 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | → Motherwell (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2014–2016 | Motherwell | 25 | (0) |
| 2018–2022 | VSG Altglienicke | 69 | (0) |
| Total | 123 | (0) | |
| International career | |||
| 2008 | Germany U18 | 2 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Club career
Twardzik trained with Bayern Munich as a youngster,[1] and after leaving the German giants in 2009, trained with Scottish club Motherwell.[2] Compensation issues were to kill off any possibility of a move to Fir Park, so he signed on at Karlsruher SC.[3] In 2011, he moved to Italian football with Calcio Como.[1]
Having struggled to make an impact in Italy, Twardzik was recruited by Scottish club Aberdeen.[4] He did not make a single appearance for the Pittodrie club, as he was used mostly as a back-up to Jamie Langfield and he was released at the end of the 2012–13 season.[5]
The following season, Twardzik moved down a division and signed for relegated club Dundee. Again, he found first-team opportunities very hard to come by.[6]
With both Lee Hollis and Gunnar Nielsen out injured, Twardzik went on an emergency one-month loan to Motherwell.[3] He made his debut, and indeed his first ever appearance in Scottish football, in a 2–1 win away to Ross County.[7] He made five appearances for the club. Twardzik returned to Dundee when his loan spell had expired,[8] with Motherwell attempting to extend the loan,[9] however this did not happen.
After making his return, Twardzik made his debut for Dundee on 25 January 2014, coming on as a substitute against Falkirk, after first choice goalkeeper Kyle Letheren had been sent off. He immediately saved a penalty but could not stop Dundee losing 2–0.[10] After spending the remainder of the season as back-up for Letheren, Twardzik's futures appeared to be uncertain following the club's promotion to the Scottish Premiership.[11] At the end of the season it was confirmed Twardzik would be leaving the club.[12]
On 23 May 2014, Twardzik returned to Motherwell, signing a two-year contract.[13] Following the move, he said he aimed to become the first choice goalkeeper at the club.[14] Twardzik made his second debut for Motherwell, in the Europa League second qualifying round first leg, in a 2–2 draw against Icelandic side Stjarnan.[15] However, in the return leg, he came under criticism when he allowed the opposition team to take the lead in extra time, with the match finishing in a 3–2 victory for Stjarnan, eliminating Motherwell.[16] Twardzik started in goal, in the opening game of the league season, in a 1–0 win over St Mirren.[17] Since making his debut, Twardzik became the first choice goalkeeper, with manager Stuart McCall showing faith in him.[2]
On 26 January 2016, Twardzik left Motherwell by mutual consent.[18]
International career
Despite being of Czech origin, Twardzik also claims German nationality.[3] He made two appearances for the Germany Under 18 team.
