Daniel Marcio Fernandes

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Daniel 'Dani' Márcio Fernandes (born 25 September 1983 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) is a Portuguese footballer. He has played in Greece for PAOK FC, Iraklis and Panserraikos.

Early days

Fernandes started playing as a goalkeeper in FC Porto. FC Porto, Jahn Regensburg and Celta de Vigo each released him on a free transfer. Having some connections in Greece, he was picked up on trial basis from PAOK FC. Former coach Angelos Anastasiadis recognised his talent and so, he signed his first contract with PAOK.


PAOK

In 2005, PAOK's General Manager and veteran player, Giorgos Kostikos, took over the club's fortunes, after coach Nikos Karageorgiou was sacked following a bad string of results. He immediately replaced aging keeper Kyriakos Tochouroglou in his starting eleven with Dani. Many people were surprised by this choice, yet it was probably his best decision in his rather short-term career as a coach. Dani is mainly to thank for salvaging an otherwise disappointing 2005-2006 season, when he played in almost all games, in the Greek league and Cup alike. His countless vital saves, stability and steadfastness were praised both by players and by the media. Despite many problems, both inside and outside the pitch, PAOK managed to secure the 6th place in the league table and qualify for the 2006-2007 UEFA Cup first round. They also made reasonably good appearances in the 2005-2006 UEFA Cup group stage, despite failing to qualify to the next round.

Bochum

In May 2008, PAOK sold Dani Fernandes to German side VfL Bochum. He appeared as a regular in his first season but was eventually relegated to the bench. In the second half of the 2010 season, he returned to Greece, on loan, playing for first for Iraklis and then for Panserraikos. In between he was also loaned out to Panathinaikos but did not play for them.

He was released by Bochum in the Summer of 2011.

CFR Cluj

In the Summer of 2011, Fernandes signed for CFR Cluj on a free transfer.

His career in Greece

Years Club Div Games
2003-2008 PAOK A 90
2010 Iraklis A 10
2010-2011 Panathinaikos A 0
2010-2011 Panserraikos A 7

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