Fabiano Santacroce

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Fabiano Santacroce

| full_name = Whellington Fabiano Santacroce{{cite news |title=L'ex A.C. Cuneo Fabiano Santacroce si ritira ufficialmente dal calcio giocato |url=https://www.ideawebtv.it/2021/01/27/lex-a-c-cuneo-fabiano-santacroce-si-ritira-ufficialmente-dal-calcio-giocato/ |access-date=20 November 2022 |work=ideawebtv.it |date=27 January 2021 |language=it-IT}}

| image = Fabiano Santacroce - SSC Neapel (2).jpg

| image_size = 250

| caption = Santacroce with Napoli in 2009

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|8|24|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Camaçari, Brazil

| height = 1.81 m

| position = Defender

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 2000–2004 | youthclubs1 = Como

| years1 = 2004–2005 | caps1 = 13 | goals1 = 0 | clubs1 = Como

| years2 = 2005–2008 | caps2 = 43 | goals2 = 3 | clubs2 = Brescia

| years3 = 2008–2011 | caps3 = 55 | goals3 = 0 | clubs3 = Napoli

| years4 = 2011–2015 | caps4 = 35 | goals4 = 0 | clubs4 = Parma

| years5 = 2013–2014 | caps5 = 20 | goals5 = 0 | clubs5 = → Padova (loan)

| years6 = 2015–2016 | caps6 = 2 | goals6 = 0 | clubs6 = Ternana

| years7 = 2017 | caps7 = 10 | goals7 = 0 | clubs7 = Juve Stabia

| years8 = 2018–2019 | caps8 = 30 | goals8 = 0 | clubs8 = Cuneo

| years9 = 2019–2020 | caps9 = 7 | goals9 = 0 | clubs9 = Virtus Verona

| years10= 2022 | caps10= 2 | goals10= 0 | clubs10= Weese Ca8

| nationalyears1 = 2007–2009 | nationalteam1 = Italy U21 | nationalcaps1 = 6 | nationalgoals1 = 0

}}

Whellington Fabiano Santacroce (born 24 August 1986) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a defender in the centre or on the left. He was born in Brazil to an Italian father and an Afro-Brazilian mother, then spending his childhood in the Lombard town of Casatenovo, in Northern Italy. At international level, he has represented the Italy national under-21 football team. He is cousin of fellow footballer Alessandro Santos, who played for Japan{{Cite web |last=import |date=2011-03-30 |title=Santacroce si iscrive al partito dell'Inter |url=https://www.ilnapolista.it/2011/03/santacroce-si-iscrive-al-partito-dellinter/ |access-date=2022-11-28 |website=ilNapolista |language=it-IT}}-

Club career

=Como=

Santacroce was a youth product of Calcio Como SpA. He finished as the losing side in the round 16 of 2004 Primavera Reserve League.{{cite news|url=http://www.inter.it/it/news/22191|title=PRIMAVERA: COMO-INTER 0-3|date=8 May 2004|accessdate=4 June 2014|publisher=FC Internazionale Milano|language=it|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232547/http://www.inter.it/it/news/22191|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.inter.it/it/news/22266|title=PRIMAVERA: INTER-COMO 3-0|date=12 May 2004|accessdate=4 June 2014|publisher=FC Internazionale Milano|language=it|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215731/http://www.inter.it/it/news/22266|url-status=dead}} He was in the starting lineup alongside future Serie A players Marco Parolo, Giuseppe Greco and Daniele Padelli.

Parolo and Santacroce were promoted to Como first team in 2004, as the club had faced financial difficulties as well as relegation from Serie B in 2004. Santacroce remained with the club in the whole 2004–05 Serie C1 despite they were declared bankrupt on 22 December 2004.{{cite news|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2004/dicembre/29/Ecco_come_salvero_Como__ga_10_0412297066.shtml|title=Ecco come salverò il Como|date=29 December 2004|accessdate=4 June 2014|work=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it}} Santacroce was in the starting XI in Como's relegation "play-out",{{cite news|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2005/maggio/30/Novara_rigore_Como_spacciato_ga_10_0505308466.shtml|title=Novara di rigore, Como spacciato|date=30 May 2005|accessdate=4 June 2014|work=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it}}{{cite news|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2005/giugno/06/Novara_basta_difesa_Como_all_ga_10_0506065396.shtml|title=Al Novara basta la difesa, Como all' inferno|date=6 June 2005|accessdate=4 June 2014|work=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it}} which the playoffs matches Como losing to Novara in 1–2 aggregate. Como folded at the end season as a takeover bid was denied.

=Brescia=

Santacroce moved to Brescia as a free agent and played for their Primavera team before making his first team debut for the rondinelle in a Serie B game on 23 April 2006, against Cesena. He played at Brescia from 2005 to 2007, also ensuring a place in the Italian U-21 team due to his impressive performances with the Lombardian side.

=Napoli=

During the January 2008 transfer window, Serie A club Napoli completed the signing of Santacroce in a permanent move, for €5.5 million,SSC Napoli Report and Accounts on 30 June 2008 {{in lang|it}}, [http://www.registroimprese.it Require purchase in CCIAA] becoming the third Brescia player to join the azzurri that year, the other two being Marek Hamšík and Daniele Mannini. He quickly established himself into Napoli's regular lineup, forming a valid defense duo with team captain Paolo Cannavaro, and playing very well throughout the remainder of the season. Santacroce has been described by a number of people in Italy, including Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis, as the "new Alessandro Nesta"[http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=625057 Goal.com – Editorial – Calcio Debate: Fabiano Santacroce – The ‘New Alessandro Nesta’?] That half season he started 13 times as well as 27 times in 2008–09 Serie A. However, after the arrival of Hugo Campagnaro, Walter Mazzarri started to fix its 3-men defense to Salvatore Aronica, Campagnaro and Cannavaro.

=Parma=

At the start of 2011–12 Serie A, Napoli sent Manuele Blasi and Santacroce to Parma as part of the compensation of signing Blerim Džemaili (€9 million).{{cite news|url=http://www.sscnapoli.it/client/render.aspx?root=707&fwd=4128&content=0|title=Dzemaili al Napoli, Blasi e Santacroce al Parma. Grava in azzurro per un'altra stagione|trans-title=Dzemailito Napoli, Blasi & Santacroce to Parma. Grava in azzurrofor another season|date=1 July 2011|accessdate=12 July 2011|work=SSC Napoli|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704003620/http://www.sscnapoli.it/client/render.aspx?root=707&fwd=4128&content=0|archive-date=4 July 2011}}Parma FC SpA bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2011 {{in lang|it}} Santacroce went on loan for €100,000.Parma FC SpA bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2012 {{in lang|it}} He was largely used as a back-up central defender and made 12 league appearances, which was enough to secure him a move to Parma in a co-ownership deal for €900,000 in 4-year contract in July 2012.Parma FC SpA bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2013 {{in lang|it}}{{cite news|url=http://www.sportsbook24.net/?action=read&idnotizia=50247 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130112010707/http://www.sportsbook24.net/?action=read&idnotizia=50247 |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 January 2013 |publisher=Sportsbook24.net |work=Sportsbook24 |title=UFFICIALE: riscattata la metà di Santacroce |trans-title=OFFICIAL: half of Santacroce taken |date=5 July 2012 }} Santacroce wore no.13 shirt that season,{{cite news|url=http://www.legaseriea.it/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=3f8d6707-4511-439d-a43a-20cc9b670a97&groupId=10192|title=Coumnicato Stampa N°8 (2012–13)|date=25 August 2012|accessdate=4 June 2014|publisher=Lega Serie A|language=it}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} changing from no.33.{{cite news|url=http://www.legaseriea.it/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=e5be4137-6009-461d-874a-32fd90129f95&groupId=10192|title=Coumnicato Stampa N°6 (2011–12)|date=20 August 2011|accessdate=4 June 2014|publisher=Lega Serie A|language=it}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Following the 2012–13 Serie A season, the remaining half of Santacroce's ownership was purchased from Napoli by Parma for free. The club now owns him outright. On 6 August 2013 Santacroce left for Padova in a temporary deal.{{cite news|url=http://fcparma.com/flashnews/fabiano-santacroce-a-titolo-temporaneo-al-padova|title=Fabiano Santacroce a titolo temporaneo al Padova|date=6 August 2013|access-date=4 June 2014|publisher=Parma FC|language=it|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727132749/http://fcparma.com/flashnews/fabiano-santacroce-a-titolo-temporaneo-al-padova|archive-date=27 July 2014}} Santacroce was given no.3 shirt of the first team.{{cite news|url=http://www.padovacalcio.it/news/2013/0-News/5954-numeri_di_maglia_la_lista_completa_dei_nuovi_arrivi_e_i_cambi_di_alcune_casacche|title=Numeri di maglia, la lista completa dei nuovi arrivi e i cambi di alcune casacche|date=11 August 2013|access-date=4 June 2014|publisher=Calcio Padova|language=it|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928000343/http://www.padovacalcio.it/news/2013/0-News/5954-numeri_di_maglia_la_lista_completa_dei_nuovi_arrivi_e_i_cambi_di_alcune_casacche|archive-date=28 September 2013}}

= Ternana and Juve Stabia =

On 1 February 2016 the last day of the transfer market goes in Serie B with Ternana, signing a contract until June with the option for the following season. Collect only two appearances and 30 June is released from the umbrian club. The 19 January 2017 is made official its acquisition by Juve Stabia.{{cite press release|url=http://ssjuvestabia.it/blog/fabiano-santacroce-un-calciatore-della-juve-stabia/|title=Fabiano Santacroce è un calciatore della Juve Stabia|access-date=25 July 2017|publisher=S.S. Juve Stabia|language=it}}

=Virtus Verona=

On 17 August 2019, he signed a one-year contract with Virtus Verona.{{cite press release|publisher=Virtus Verona|url=https://www.facebook.com/usvirtusbv/posts/2290440221009625|title=ECCO FABIANO SANTACROCE|date=17 August 2019|language=it}} He retired from football in early 2021, and pursued a career as a sports agent.{{cite news |last1=Scozzafava |first1=Monica |title=Fabiano Santacroce, caduta e rinascita: da 20mila euro al giorno a 10 euro. Ora salvo ragazzi dalla strada |url=https://corrieredelmezzogiorno.corriere.it/napoli/cronaca/22_febbraio_17/fabiano-santacroce-caduta-rinascita-20mila-euro-giorno-10-euro-ora-salvo-ragazzi-strada-a47964d0-8fde-11ec-9019-de0f95a91173.shtml |access-date=20 November 2022 |work=Corriere del Mezzogiorno |date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317054756/https://corrieredelmezzogiorno.corriere.it/napoli/cronaca/22_febbraio_17/fabiano-santacroce-caduta-rinascita-20mila-euro-giorno-10-euro-ora-salvo-ragazzi-strada-a47964d0-8fde-11ec-9019-de0f95a91173.shtml |archive-date=17 March 2022 |language=it}} Before retiring completely, Santacroce had a short spell at Italien amateur club Weese Ca8.[https://www.tuttocampo.it/2022-23/Lazio/Amatori/GironeSerieACalcioa8/Squadra/TSWeeseCa8/1100861/Rosa T.S. Weese Ca8 2022-23 at Tuttocampo], tuttocampo.it[https://www.legacalcioa8.it/it/player/69330/fabiano-santacroce/ T.S. Weese Ca8 2022-23 at LegaCalcio], legacalcioa8.it

International career

{{Quote box | width=40% | align=right | quote= "We live in intolerant times. If the presence of Santacroce with the national team sends a message against racism, I am happy about that."|source= The Italy manager, Marcello Lippi, on calling up Santacroce. }}

Santacroce has been a member of the Italy U-21 national team from 2007 to 2009.

In 2008–09, Santacroce was confirmed as a Napoli regular, and his performances were quickly noted by new Italy head coach Marcello Lippi, who on 5 October 2008 called him to join the azzurri squad for the FIFA World Cup 2010 qualification matches against Bulgaria and Montenegro.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11844_4251638,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |accessdate=6 October 2008 |date=6 October 2008 |title=Rossi handed Italian call-up}} However, he was an unused substitute during these matches, and is yet to make his senior international debut.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3153500/Italy-drop-Alessandro-del-Piero-Gianluigi-Buffon-and-Mauro-Camoranesi-out-injured-Football.html |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|accessdate=1 August 2009 |date=7 October 2008 |title=Italy drop Alessandro del Piero, Gianluigi Buffon and Mauro Camoranesi out injured }} Santacroce dedicated his first senior call-up to his former Como youth team coach Stefano Borgonovo, who was battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at the time, succumbing to the disease in 2013.{{cite news |url=http://it.eurosport.yahoo.com/06102008/2/santacroce-dedica-borgonovo.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710063056/http://it.eurosport.yahoo.com/06102008/2/santacroce-dedica-borgonovo.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 July 2012 |publisher=Yahoo! Eurosport Italia |access-date=6 October 2008 |date=6 October 2008 |title=Santacroce, dedica a Borgonovo |language=it}}

Career statistics

=Club=

Statistics accurate up until 16 May 2012

rowspan="2"\|Season !rowspan="2"\|Team !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="3"\|Domestic cup !colspan="3"\|European !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable center" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
Division !Games !Goals !Competition !Games !Goals !Competition !Games !Goals !Games !Goals
\| 2004–05	rowspan=1\| Como	C1	13	0	CIC	0	0	–	–	–	13	0
colspan="3"\|Total Como \|\| 13 \|\| 0 \|\| \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| \|\| – \|\| – \|\| 13 \|\| 0
\| 2005–06	rowspan=3\| Brescia	B	2	0	CI	0	0	–	–	–	2	0
\| 2006–07	B	25	2	CI	1	0	–	–	–	26	2
\| 2007–08	B	16	1	CI	1	0	–	–	–	17	1
colspan="3"\|Total Brescia \|\| 43 \|\| 3 \|\| \|\| 2 \|\| 0 \|\| \|\| – \|\| – \|\| 45 \|\| 3
\| 2007–08	rowspan=4\| Napoli	A	13	0	CI	0	0	–	–	–	13	0
\| 2008–09	A	27	0	CI	1	0	CU	2	0	30	0
\| 2009–10	A	4	0	CI	1	0	–	–	–	5	0
\| 2010–11	A	11	0	CI	1	0	EL	2	0	14	0
colspan="3"\|Total Napoli \|\| 55 \|\| 0 \|\| \|\| 3 \|\| 0 \|\| \|\| 4 \|\| 0 \|\| 62 \|\| 0
\| 2011–12	Parma	A	12	0	CI	1	0	–	–	–	13	0
colspan="3"\|Total \|\| 123 \|\| 3 \|\| \|\| 6 \|\| 0 \|\| \|\| 4 \|\| 0 \|\| 133 \|\| 3