Dan Twardzik

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Dan Twardzik

| full_name = Daniel Twardzik

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|04|13|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Třinec, CSFR

| height = 1.83 m

| position = Goalkeeper

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Bayern Munich

| years1 = 2009–2011

| clubs1 = Karlsruher SC II

| caps1 = 22

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2011–2013

| clubs2 = Como

| caps2 = 0

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2013

| clubs3 = Aberdeen

| caps3 = 0

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2013–2014

| clubs4 = Dundee

| caps4 = 2

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2013–2014

| clubs5 = → Motherwell (loan)

| caps5 = 5

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2014–2016

| clubs6 = Motherwell

| caps6 = 25

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2018–2022

| clubs7 = VSG Altglienicke

| caps7 = 69

| goals7 = 0

| totalcaps = 123

| totalgoals = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2008

| nationalteam1 = Germany U18

| nationalcaps1 = 2

| nationalgoals1 = 0

}}

Daniel Twardzik (born 13 April 1991) is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Club career

Twardzik trained with Bayern Munich as a youngster, and after leaving the German giants in 2009, trained with Scottish club Motherwell.{{cite news|title=Motherwell keeper Dan Twardzik vows to hit the heights at Fir Park and prove he's not too small to be No.1|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/motherwell-keeper-dan-twardzik-vows-3886569|publisher=Daily Record|date=20 July 2014|accessdate=11 August 2014}} Compensation issues were to kill off any possibility of a move to Fir Park, so he signed on at Karlsruher SC.{{cite news|url=http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2013/12/12/twardzik-joins-on-emergency-loan/|title=Twardzik joins on emergency loan|publisher=Motherwell F.C.|date=12 December 2013|accessdate=14 December 2013}} In 2011, he moved to Italian football with Calcio Como.[http://isport.blesk.cz/clanek/fotbal-cesi-v-cizine/194212/ucil-se-i-od-kahna-ted-twardzik-cislo-3-zaujal-ve-skotsku.html Učil se i od Kahna, teď Twardzik číslo 3 zaujal ve Skotsku], iSport.cz, Retrieved 3 February 2015 (Czech)

Having struggled to make an impact in Italy, Twardzik was recruited by Scottish club Aberdeen.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21266389|title=Aberdeen agree terms for goalkeeper Dan Twardzik|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=31 January 2013|accessdate=14 December 2013}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22514174|title=Aberdeen to release 11 players at end of season|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=13 May 2013|accessdate=14 December 2013}}

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.{{cite news|title=Our mid-term report looks at Dundee's nine new signings|url=http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/sport/dundee-fc/our-mid-term-report-looks-at-dundee-s-nine-new-signings-1.149203|publisher=The Evening Telegraph|date=5 November 2013|accessdate=28 December 2013}}

With both Lee Hollis and Gunnar Nielsen out injured, Twardzik went on an emergency one-month loan to Motherwell. He made his debut, and indeed his first ever appearance in Scottish football, in a 2–1 win away to Ross County.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25275637|title=Ross County 1–2 Motherwell|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=14 December 2013|accessdate=14 December 2013}} He made five appearances for the club. Twardzik returned to Dundee when his loan spell had expired,{{cite news|title=Dundee boss weighs up his options|url=http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/sport/dundee-fc/dundee-boss-weighs-up-his-options-1.173829|publisher=Evening Telegraph|date=9 January 2014|accessdate=11 May 2014}} with Motherwell attempting to extend the loan,{{cite news|title=Transfer news: Motherwell could make another move for Dan Twardzik|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9106364/transfer-news-motherwell-could-make-another-move-for-dan-twardzik|publisher=Sky Sports|date=25 January 2014|accessdate=11 May 2014}} 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.{{cite web|title=Dark Blues well beaten by Bairns |url=http://www.dundeefc.co.uk/match_report.asp?m=FALKIRK-FC-V-DUNDEE-FC&FID=1231 |publisher=dundeefc.co.uk |date=25 January 2014 |accessdate=26 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203215110/http://www.dundeefc.co.uk/match_report.asp?m=FALKIRK-FC-V-DUNDEE-FC&FID=1231 |archivedate=3 February 2014 }} 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.{{cite news|title=Dundee gaffer Hartley set to wield axe at Dens Park|url=http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/sport/dundee-fc/dundee-gaffer-hartley-set-to-wield-axe-at-dens-park-1.360746|publisher=Evening Telegraph|date=10 May 2014|accessdate=11 May 2014}} At the end of the season it was confirmed Twardzik would be leaving the club.{{cite news|title=Dundee trio set to be on their way out of Dens|url=http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/sport/dundee-fc/dundee-trio-set-to-be-on-their-way-out-of-dens-1.370538|publisher=Evening Telegraph|date=16 May 2014|accessdate=17 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516072423/http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/sport/dundee-fc/dundee-trio-set-to-be-on-their-way-out-of-dens-1.370538|archive-date=16 May 2014|url-status=dead}}

On 23 May 2014, Twardzik returned to Motherwell, signing a two-year contract.{{cite news|title=Motherwell sign goalkeeper Dan Twardzik after Dundee exit|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27550609|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=23 May 2014|accessdate=23 May 2014}} Following the move, he said he aimed to become the first choice goalkeeper at the club.{{cite news|title=Motherwell goalkeeper Dan Twardzik sets his sights on claiming the number one jersey at Fir Park|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/motherwell-goalkeeper-dan-twardzik-sets-3784275|publisher=Daily Record|date=29 June 2014|accessdate=11 August 2014}} 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.{{cite news|title=Europa League qualifier: Motherwell 2–2 UMF Stjarnan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28278573|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 July 2014|accessdate=11 August 2014}} 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.{{cite news|title=Motherwell keeper Dan Twardzik: I just hope I don't catch it from the boss for my extra time Euro howler|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/motherwell-keeper-dan-twardzik-just-3920554|publisher=Daily Record|date=27 July 2014|accessdate=11 August 2014}} Twardzik started in goal, in the opening game of the league season, in a 1–0 win over St Mirren.{{cite news|title=Motherwell 1–0 St Mirren|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28647036|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 August 2014|accessdate=11 August 2014}} Since making his debut, Twardzik became the first choice goalkeeper, with manager Stuart McCall showing faith in him.

On 26 January 2016, Twardzik left Motherwell by mutual consent.{{cite web|title=Goalkeeper Dan Twardzik departs|url=http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2016/01/26/goalkeeper-dan-twardzik-departs/|publisher=Motherwell F.C.|date=26 January 2016|accessdate=26 January 2016}}

International career

Despite being of Czech origin, Twardzik also claims German nationality. 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.{{cite news|title=I trained with Bayern Munich now I want to be No 1 at Dundee|url=http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/sport/dundee-fc/i-trained-with-bayern-munich-now-i-want-to-be-no-1-at-dundee-1.195466|publisher=Evening Telegraph|date=31 January 2014|accessdate=11 May 2014}}