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Dan Twardzik
Daniel Twardzik (born 13 April 1991) is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Club careerTwardzik trained with Bayern Munich as a youngster,[1] and after leaving the German giants in 2009, trained with Scottish club Motherwell.[2] Compensation issues were to kill off any possibility of a move to Fir Park, so he signed on at Karlsruher SC.[3] In 2011, he moved to Italian football with Calcio Como.[1] Having struggled to make an impact in Italy, Twardzik was recruited by Scottish club Aberdeen.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6] With both Lee Hollis and Gunnar Nielsen out injured, Twardzik went on an emergency one-month loan to Motherwell.[3] He made his debut, and indeed his first ever appearance in Scottish football, in a 2–1 win away to Ross County.[7] He made five appearances for the club. Twardzik returned to Dundee when his loan spell had expired,[8] with Motherwell attempting to extend the loan,[9] 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.[10] 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.[11] At the end of the season it was confirmed Twardzik would be leaving the club.[12] On 23 May 2014, Twardzik returned to Motherwell, signing a two-year contract.[13] Following the move, he said he aimed to become the first choice goalkeeper at the club.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16] Twardzik started in goal, in the opening game of the league season, in a 1–0 win over St Mirren.[17] Since making his debut, Twardzik became the first choice goalkeeper, with manager Stuart McCall showing faith in him.[2] On 26 January 2016, Twardzik left Motherwell by mutual consent.[18] International careerDespite being of Czech origin, Twardzik also claims German nationality.[3] He made two appearances for the Germany Under 18 team. Personal lifeTwardzik 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.[19] References
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