Dan Twardzik

Daniel Twardzik (born 13 April 1991) is a German footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for VSG Altglienicke in Regionalliga Nordost.

Dan Twardzik
Personal information
Full name Daniel Twardzik
Date of birth (1991-04-13) 13 April 1991
Place of birth Třinec, CSFR
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 VSG Altglienicke
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– VSG Altglienicke 68 (0)
National team
Germany U18 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 August 2020

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 didn't 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 couldn't 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.

Personal life

Twardzik is an older brother to former Celtic twins Filip and Patrik. His father René also played as a goalkeeper. Twardzik speaks five languages and is a fan of travelling.[19]

References
  1. Učil se i od Kahna, teď Twardzik číslo 3 zaujal ve Skotsku, iSport.cz, Retrieved 3 February 2015 (Czech)
  2. "Motherwell keeper Dan Twardzik vows to hit the heights at Fir Park and prove he's not too small to be No.1". Daily Record. 20 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  3. "Twardzik joins on emergency loan". Motherwell F.C. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  4. "Aberdeen agree terms for goalkeeper Dan Twardzik". British Broadcasting Corporation. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  5. "Aberdeen to release 11 players at end of season". British Broadcasting Corporation. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  6. "Our mid-term report looks at Dundee's nine new signings". The Evening Telegraph. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  7. "Ross County 1–2 Motherwell". British Broadcasting Corporation. 14 December 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  8. "Dundee boss weighs up his options". Evening Telegraph. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  9. "Transfer news: Motherwell could make another move for Dan Twardzik". Sky Sports. 25 January 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  10. "Dark Blues well beaten by Bairns". dundeefc.co.uk. 25 January 2014. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  11. "Dundee gaffer Hartley set to wield axe at Dens Park". Evening Telegraph. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  12. "Dundee trio set to be on their way out of Dens". Evening Telegraph. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 16 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  13. "Motherwell sign goalkeeper Dan Twardzik after Dundee exit". British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  14. "Motherwell goalkeeper Dan Twardzik sets his sights on claiming the number one jersey at Fir Park". Daily Record. 29 June 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  15. "Europa League qualifier: Motherwell 2–2 UMF Stjarnan". BBC Sport. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  16. "Motherwell keeper Dan Twardzik: I just hope I don't catch it from the boss for my extra time Euro howler". Daily Record. 27 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  17. "Motherwell 1–0 St Mirren". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  18. "Goalkeeper Dan Twardzik departs". Motherwell F.C. 26 January 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  19. "I trained with Bayern Munich now I want to be No 1 at Dundee". Evening Telegraph. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
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