Connor Dimaio
{{Short description|Footballer (born 1996)}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Connor Dimaio
| image = Connor Dimaio 2022-05-21 1.jpg
| caption = Dimaio playing for Boston United in 2022
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|1|28|df=y}}
| birth_place = Chesterfield, England
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Bradford (Park Avenue)
| clubnumber =
| youthclubs1 = Sheffield United
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2014
| years1 = 2014–2016 | clubs1 = Sheffield United | caps1 = 3 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2016–2018 | clubs2 = Chesterfield | caps2 = 44 | goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2018–2020 | clubs3 = Stockport County | caps3 = 35 | goals3 = 3
| years4 = 2019 | clubs4 = → Ashton United (loan) | caps4 = 12 | goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2019–2020 | clubs5 = → Curzon Ashton (loan) | caps5 = 10 | goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2020–2022 | clubs6 = Boston United | caps6 = 23 | goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2022 | clubs7 = → Curzon Ashton (loan) | caps7 = 15 | goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2022–2023 | clubs8 = Curzon Ashton | caps8 = 18 | goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2023–2024 | clubs9 = Matlock Town | caps9 = 15 | goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2024 | clubs10 = → Rainworth Miners Welfare (loan) | caps10 = 5 | goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2024 | clubs11 = Bradford (Park Avenue) | caps11 = 5 | goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2024 | clubs12 = Matlock Town | caps12 = 3 | goals12 = 0
| years13 = 2024– | clubs13 = Bradford (Park Avenue) | caps13 = 0 | goals13 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2012
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U16
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2013
| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U17
| nationalcaps2 = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2013–2016
| nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland U19
| nationalcaps3 = 8
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2016–2017
| nationalteam4 = Republic of Ireland U21
| nationalcaps4 = 4
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| club-update = 18:20, 15 October 2024 (UTC)
}}
Connor James Dimaio (born 28 January 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for {{English football updater|BradfoPA}} club Bradford (Park Avenue). Born in England, he has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level.
Club career
=Sheffield United=
A product of United's Academy, Dimaio made his first team début in March 2014 in an away game at Crawley Town.{{cite web|url=http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20140325-crawley-reaction-1444219.aspx|title=Clough's Crawley assessment|publisher=Sheffield United F.C.|date=26 March 2014|accessdate=26 March 2014}} Dimaio made two further appearances for the Blades before the end of the season, which was enough to see him awarded the club's annual 'Young Player of the Year' award.{{cite news|title=Clean sweep for Harry|url=http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20140506-clean-sweep-for-harry-1353118.aspx|accessdate=6 May 2014|publisher=Sheffield United F.C.|date=6 May 2014}}
=Chesterfield=
Dimaio signed for League One side Chesterfield on 1 February 2016, on a contract until the end of the season, having been released by Sheffield United on the same day as he signed for Chesterfield. He scored his first goal for Chesterfield in a 3–1 win against Crewe Alexandra on 20 February 2016.{{cite news
|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35567256
|title=Chesterfield 3-1 Crewe
|publisher=BBC
|date=20 February 2016
|accessdate=12 November 2016}}
=Stockport County=
In May 2018, Dimaio signed a two-year deal with Stockport County.{{cite web |title=Double signing for the Hatters |url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/double-signing-hatters/ |website=StockportCounty.com |date=25 May 2018 |accessdate=31 July 2018}} In February 2019 he joined Ashton United on loan until the end of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/dimaio-joins-ashton-united-on-loan/|title = Dimaio joins Ashton United on loan|date = 19 February 2019}}
After leaving Stockport, Diamio joined National League North side Boston United in August 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonstandard.co.uk/sport/football/connor-dimaio-becomes-signing-number-four-boston-united-midfielder-shows-new-adidas-away-shirt-2947394|title=Connor Dimaio becomes signing number four for Boston United as midfielder shows off new Adidas away shirt|website=bostonstandard.co.uk|date=19 August 2020|accessdate=10 December 2020}} On 25 February 2022, he signed for National League side Curzon Ashton, returning to the club until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/news/dimaio-makes-curzon-loan-move-2685374.html|title=DIMAIO MAKES CURZON LOAN MOVE|website=Boston United FC|date=25 February 2022|accessdate=4 March 2022|first=Craig|last=Singleton}}
=Curzon Ashton=
In July 2022, he signed permanently for National League North side Curzon Ashton.{{Cite web|url=https://www.curzon-ashton.co.uk/teams/42677/player/c-dimaio-2850622/82508|title=CONNOR DIMAIO|accessdate=30 September 2022|publisher=Curzon Ashton FC}}
=Matlock Town=
On 9 February 2023, Dimaio signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Matlock Town.{{cite web|url=https://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/local-lad-dimaio-signs-on-the-dotted-line.asp|title=Local lad Dimaio signs on the dotted line!|website=www.matlocktownfc.co.uk|date=9 February 2023|accessdate=3 April 2023}} On 4 March 2023, he went down injured during a 1–1 draw with Ashton United, a scan revealing that he had suffered a damaged cruciate ligament that would keep him out of action for between ten and twelve months.{{cite web|url=https://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/dimaio-set-for-long-injury-lay-off.asp|title=Dimaio set for long injury lay off|website=www.matlocktownfc.co.uk|date=16 March 2023|accessdate=3 April 2023}} A crowdfunding campaign was set up to pay for career-saving surgery, receiving a £1000 donation from former Sheffield United youth teammate and Premier League goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/ramsdale-helps-fund-ex-blades-career-saving-op-4090224|title=Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale helps ex-Sheffield United pal fund 'career-saving' op|publisher=The Star|last1=Hall|first1=Danny|date=3 April 2023|accessdate=3 April 2023}} On 5 January 2024 Dimaio was loaned to United Counties League First Division Rainworth Miners Welfare for a month as part of his injury rehabilitation.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-05 |title=Dimaio joins Rainworth MW on one month loan |url=https://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/dimaio-joins-rainworth-mw-on-one-month-loan.asp |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=www.matlocktownfc.co.uk |language=en}}
=Bradford (Park Avenue)=
In May 2024, Dimaio joined Northern Premier League Division One East club Bradford (Park Avenue) following their relegation.{{cite tweet|number=1793309118972735976|title=New Signing {{!}} Welcome Connor Dimaio 🟢⚪️ We are delighted to welcome former Sheffield United, Chesterfield and Stockport County Midfielder Connor Dimaio. A former Republic of Ireland International, Connor has made over 40 appearances in League One and joins us from Northern Premier League side Matlock Town. The 28 year old is our fifth new signing in the month of May as the rebuild continues. Stay tuned to hear what Connor has to say on joining the Avey.|user=BPAFCOfficial|author-link=Bradford (Park Avenue) A.F.C.|date=22 May 2024|accessdate=27 May 2024}}
=Return to Matlock Town=
On 16 September 2024, Dimaio returned to Matlock Town.{{cite tweet|number=1835665033344303551|title=Matlock Town are pleased to announce the return of 28-year-old midfielder Connor Dimaio from Bradford Park Avenue subject to FA and NPL approval. Formerly with clubs including Sheffield United and Chesterfield FC, Connor's first spell with the Gladiators saw him join from Curzon Ashton in February of the 23/24 season Sadly, Connor would suffer a long injury lay-off after needing surgery to reconstruct his ACL, receiving support and donations from the Gladiators fan base as well as the wider football family. Fortunately, Connor has been able to get back on track, returning to the Gladiators' first eleven at the tail end of last season before a move to Bradford Park Avenue in the summer where he would go on to be entrusted with the captain's armband, featuring in all the NPL Division One East's games. He's now returned to the Gladiators to finish his story. Welcome back to the Gladiators, Connor! #GladsAllOver|user=Matlock_TownFC|author-link=Matlock Town F.C.|date=16 September 2024|accessdate=17 September 2024}} Having made three appearances, he departed the club the following month in search for more playing time.{{cite tweet|number=1845556032250216841|title=We can confirm that following discussions with the management team, Connor Dimaio has left the club to get more game time elsewhere. We wish Connor and his family all the very best for the future. #GladsAllOver 📸 @lewmck17|user=Matlock_TownFC|author-link=Matlock Town F.C.|date=13 October 2024|accessdate=15 October 2024}}
=Return to Bradford (Park Avenue)=
On 14 October 2024, Dimaio returned to Bradford (Park Avenue), one month after he had initially departed the club.{{cite web|url=https://bpafc.com/bradford-park-avenue-welcome-back-connor-dimaio/|title=Bradford (Park Avenue) Welcome Back Connor Dimaio|website=bpafc.com|date=14 October 2024|accessdate=15 October 2024}}
International career
Having represented Republic of Ireland at under-16 and under-17 level, Dimaio was called up to the Republic of Ireland under-19 side in August 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/international/under-19/103442-u19-squad-changes-for-norway-friendlies.html|title=U19 squad changes for Norway friendlies|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|date=11 August 2013|accessdate=25 March 2014}} He made his debut in a friendly fixture against Norway later that month.{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/international/under-19/103459-ireland-u19s-suffer-close-defeat-by-norway-in-friendly.html|title=Ireland U19s suffer close defeat by Norway in friendly|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|date=15 August 2013|accessdate=25 March 2014}} In mid May 2014, Dimaio started in two friendly defeats for Ireland Under-19s, both against Mexico Under-20s.{{cite news|title=Ireland U19s lose to Mexico U20s in Tallaght |url=http://www.fai.ie/international/under-19/103969-ireland-u19s-lose-to-mexico-u20s-in-tallaght.html|accessdate=28 May 2014|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|date=13 May 2014}}{{cite news|title=Ireland U19s suffer Mexican defeat|url=http://www.fai.ie/international/under-19/103973-ireland-u19s-suffer-mexican-defeat.html|accessdate=28 May 2014|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|date=15 May 2014}}
Dimaio was called up for the under-21 team in March 2016 and made his debut in a European qualifier against Slovenia.
Career statistics
{{updated|14 October 2024}}
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{Soccerway|connor-dimaio/290219}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dimaio, Connor}}
Category:Footballers from Chesterfield
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Sheffield United F.C. players
Category:Chesterfield F.C. players
Category:Stockport County F.C. players
Category:Ashton United F.C. players
Category:Curzon Ashton F.C. players
Category:Boston United F.C. players
Category:Matlock Town F.C. players
Category:Rainworth Miners Welfare F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Northern Premier League players
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers
Category:English people of Irish descent