Antonio Candreva



D.O.B: 28/02/1987 in Rome, Italy
Position: Central/attacking midfielder
Squad number: -
Nationality: Italian
Height: 1.80m (5'11")
Weight: 70kg
Nickname(s):

International debut ITALY 0-0 Netherlands, 14/11/09

2004-05 Ternana B
2005-06 Ternana B
2006-07 Ternana B 47 -
2007-08 Udinese A 3 -
2008-09 Livorno B
2009-10 Livorno A 52 2
Jan 2010 Juventus A 16 2

Honours


Club career

Candreva started his professional career at Serie C1 team Ternana, where he played two Serie B games in 2004–05.

After Ternana were relegated to Serie C1, Candreva achieved more space in the regular lineup and was subsequently scouted by several top-flight teams. On June 2007, he was then signed by Serie A club Udinese, where he managed to playing only three games. He was successively loaned out to Serie B outfit Livorno for the 2008–09 season, which ended with the Tuscan side being promoted back to Serie A as playoff winners. Following these events, the loan deal between Udinese and Livorno was subsequently extended to one more year, thus giving Candreva the opportunity to play a full season as a regular in the Italian top flight.

Juventus

On January 20 2010 it was announced that he would be joining Italian giants Juventus for a 6 month loan deal with Juventus having the option of buying the co-ownership of Candreva from Udinese Calcio for €7.5m

International career

A regular member of the Italian youth teams, he had represented Italy at the 2008 Summer Olympics and was a member of the Italy U-21 squad in the 2009 Euro U-21 Championship.

On 14 November, 2009 he made his senior national team debut in a friendly match against the Netherlands. He has already become a favorite of Marcello Lippi and is a expected to be called up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Candreva: 'I'll be worthy of Juve'

Antonio Candreva confessed he felt emotional after signing for the Turin giants. “I want to prove I am worthy of Juventus.”

The midfielder completed his complex transfer this evening, as he leaves Livorno six months early from his loan spell.

Udinese have agreed a deal to loan him to Juve with an option to buy at the end of the season for a reported £6.5m.

“It is a dream come true and I cannot wait to start this new adventure,” Candreva told Sky Sport Italia cameras straight after the meeting with Bianconeri directors.

He could even be in the starting XI for Saturday night's clash with Roma, a game you can watch LIVE for FREE on ESPN.

“I don't know, tomorrow I'll be at the disposal of my new teammates and the Coach. We'll see.

“I can say that 2010 has certainly got off to a brilliant start for me. I feel positive and I hope to win over the Coach and club to prove I am a player worthy of Juve.”

Candreva already has Italy caps under his belt and the move to Turin could boost his chances of being at the 2010 World Cup.

“For now I just want to concentrate on Juve and that's all. Am I emotional at this moment? Pretty much, yes.”

http://www.football-italia.net/jan20x.html

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It's a risky move for him ahead of the World Cup, I'm pretty sure he would definitely have gone had he stayed at Livorno, now he'll have to play often for Juve.

Of course with him being a Lippi favourite, it has sparked Lippi back to Juve in some capacity rumours.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_0a627VEGU



He must be the unluckiest guy ever with his shooting lol.

I wonder how gutted he is about Roma not making a move for him.

we cant afford him and our goal was to get a striker anw.

Normal service will be resumed soon

Udinese want €7m for half or €14m for this guy, just do the deal. Giovinco has been mentioned in a swap p/exchange, might as well do the deal. No one trusts Giovinco enough to play him and he is often injured, might as well get a good player in exchange.

He has pace, is direct, has a mean shot, has good energy and can dribble, on top of being versatile. Very useful player to have.

Candreva waves Juve goodbye

Antonio Candreva has waved Juventus goodbye after they decided not to sign him outright following a six-month spell at the club.

The 23-year-old was hailed on his arrival as one of the brightest midfielders in Italian football but found it difficult to shine in a torrid season for the Bianconeri.

After talks with Gigi Del Neri, Juventus' new director general Beppe Marotta decided against taking up the option to buy Candreva from Udinese or even extend his co-ownership deal.

When asked for his reaction to the club's decision not to sign him on a permanent basis, Candreva said: “Who wouldn't want to be part of a great team like Juventus? I am disappointed, but never say never.

“It always makes you happy to be part of a great club. The co-ownership deal has expired. They made other choices. Now we'll see what happens.

“For now, I am an Udinese player. I await news, we'll see what happens.”

Reacting to other transfer rumours, he said: “Fiorentina are a great club with a great city. I don't if the Viola really are interested in me. I await news on the transfer market. Anyway, I am an Udinese player, they are my team and I can only speak well of them.”

Finally Candreva reflected on his time in Turin.

“There were some injuries, even if that's not an excuse. The year wasn't one of the best. It can happen, but Juventus will be reborn. There are great people and great champions at the club. A great Coach has arrived who did well at Sampdoria.”

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Grazie Tonino! I think he will turn out a very good player, once he uses his head a bit more. €7.5m for half is just too much for us, as we are signing wingers.