- Daniel Cruz
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This article is about the Colombian footballer. For the American footballer, see Danny Cruz.
Daniel Cruz Personal information Full name Daniel Alberto Cruz Castro Date of birth 3 May 1981 Place of birth Cali, Colombia Height 1.77 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in) Playing position Midfielder Club information Current club FC Dallas Number 7 Youth career Tucumán América de Cali 1998–2000 Ajax Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 2000–2003 Ajax 13 (2) 2002 → Germinal Beerschot (loan) 11 (0) 2003–2011 Germinal Beerschot 173 (10) 2005 → Lierse (loan) 12 (0) 2011- FC Dallas 10 (1) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 1, 2011.
† Appearances (Goals).Daniel Alberto Cruz Castro (born 3 May 1981 in Cali) is a Belgian football midfielder with Colombian roots who currently plays for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer.
Contents
Career
Youth career
Cruz played his early football at the Academia de Fútbol Tucumán in his hometown of Cali. His father, a retired Argentinian professional football player, was his primary coaching influence. In 1998, Cruz was discovered by an AFC Ajax scout while training with the first team at América de Cali. Within two weeks, at 17, the young Colombian had signed with the Dutch club's youth reserve program.[1]
Ajax
Cruz made his first team debut for Ajax during the 2000/01 season after two years with the club's youth reserve program.[2] That season, he played in eleven matches for the Ajax first team before being sidelined with a knee injury. A head coaching change during his rehabilitation undermined the possibility of Cruz returning to the first team ranks at Ajax.[3] Eventually he was loaned and later sold to Belgian club Germinal Beerschot.
Germinal Beerschot
Since his move from Ajax in 2002, until the expiration of his final contract with the club in 2011, Daniel Cruz established himself as one of most prolific players in Germinal Beerschot club history. His time there spanned nearly a decade - having made over 250 appearances for the club in all competitions[4]. Cruz was considered a trendsetter in the Belgian Pro League. The South American midfielder was known as a play-maker with charisma and modesty.[5]
In 2005, Cruz captained Germinal Beerschot to a Belgian Cup title.[6]
Lierse SK
After winning the Belgian Cup in 2005, Cruz shocked fans and the media when he announced that he had signed a contract with rival club Lierse S.K. for the following season. The deal was rumored to be one of the largest contracts in Belgian Pro League history.[7] Financial troubles at Lierse halfway through the 2005-06 season led to the club actually selling Cruz back to Germinal Beerschot after only six months of his three-year deal.[8]
FC Dallas
On August 4, 2011, it was announced that Cruz had signed with FC Dallas of American Major League Soccer.[9] Daniel scored his first goal for his new club on September 14, 2011, in a 1-1 draw against Tauro FC. The goal was just 0:27 seconds into the match officially making it the quickest strike in FC Dallas club history.[10]
Personal life
Cruz is the son of retired Argentinian football player José Luis Cruz who played for Club Atlético River Plate and América de Cali.[11] In January 2009, Voetbal Magazine produced a cover story featuring an extensive interview with Daniel Cruz. The article highlighted the Colombian's role at his club, his recent injuries, and his love for Germinal Beerschot.[12]
References
- ^ Daniel Cruz Bio www.tucuman.com
- ^ Newcastle United Mad www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk
- ^ Ajax turn to Koeman news.bbc.co.uk
- ^ Dynamo bring Colombian Cruz on trail www.houstondynamo.com
- ^ Daniel Cruz Spelers Info www.nieuwsblad.be
- ^ Cofidis Cup Past Winners www.cofidiscup.be
- ^ Nieuwe zaak-Cruz www.nieuwsblad.be
- ^ Cruz van Lierse terug naar Beerschot? www.nieuwsblad.be
- ^ FC Dallas add veteran Colombian playmaker Daniel Cruz www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/04/
- ^ CCL Recap: FC Dallas 1, Tauro FC 1 http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2011/09/
- ^ José Luis Cruz Bio www.tucuman.com
- ^ GBA News Archive www.germinalbeerschot.be
External links
FC Dallas – current squad 1 Hartman · 2 D. Hernández · 3 Ihemelu · 4 Jacobson · 5 Benítez · 6 Jackson · 7 Cruz · 8 Guarda · 9 Santos · 10 Ferreira · 11 Villar · 12 Loyd · 13 Galindo · 14 John · 15 Castillo · 16 Warshaw · 17 Hall · 18 Chávez · 20 Shea · 21 Leyva · 22 Lambo · 23 Wiedeman · 25 Stewart · 27 Edward · 28 Ulloa · 29 M. Hernandez · 30 Seitz · 32 Top · 34 Luna · 40 Sanchez ·
Head Coach: Hyndman Assistant Coach: Ellinger Assistant Coach: Ferruzzi Goalkeeper Coach: Keeshan
Categories:- Colombian footballers
- Colombian expatriate footballers
- 1981 births
- Living people
- K. Lierse S.K. players
- Eredivisie players
- Belgian Pro League players
- Expatriate footballers in the Netherlands
- Expatriate footballers in Belgium
- Expatriate soccer players in the United States
- América de Cali footballers
- AFC Ajax players
- K.F.C. Germinal Beerschot players
- FC Dallas players
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