{{Short description|German footballer (born 1991)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Dan Twardzik | full_name = Dan 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 <!-- LEAGUE APPS AND GOALS ONLY --> | years7 = 2018–2022 | clubs7 = VSG Altglienicke | caps7 = 69 | goals7 = 0 | totalcaps = 123 | totalgoals = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2008 | nationalteam1 = Germany U18 | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0 }} '''Dan 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,<ref name=iSport/> and after leaving the German giants in 2009, trained with Scottish club Motherwell.<ref name="Dan Twardzik First Choice Goalkeeper">{{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}}</ref> Compensation issues were to kill off any possibility of a move to Fir Park, so he signed on at Karlsruher SC.<ref name="Dan Twardzik Career">{{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|archive-date=13 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213145336/http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2013/12/12/twardzik-joins-on-emergency-loan/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2011, he moved to Italian football with Calcio Como.<ref name=iSport>[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)</ref>
Having struggled to make an impact in Italy, Twardzik was recruited by Scottish club Aberdeen.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21266389|title=Aberdeen agree terms for goalkeeper Dan Twardzik|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=31 January 2013|access-date=14 December 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22514174|title=Aberdeen to release 11 players at end of season|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=13 May 2013|access-date=14 December 2013}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
With both Lee Hollis and Gunnar Nielsen out injured, Twardzik went on an emergency one-month loan to Motherwell.<ref name="Dan Twardzik Career"/> He made his debut, and indeed his first ever appearance in Scottish football, in a 2–1 win away to Ross County.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25275637|title=Ross County 1–2 Motherwell|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=14 December 2013|access-date=14 December 2013}}</ref> He made five appearances for the club. Twardzik returned to Dundee when his loan spell had expired,<ref>{{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}}</ref> with Motherwell attempting to extend the loan,<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> At the end of the season it was confirmed Twardzik would be leaving the club.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
On 23 May 2014, Twardzik returned to Motherwell, signing a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite news|title=Motherwell sign goalkeeper Dan Twardzik after Dundee exit|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27550609|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=23 May 2014|access-date=23 May 2014}}</ref> Following the move, he said he aimed to become the first choice goalkeeper at the club.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Europa League qualifier: Motherwell 2–2 UMF Stjarnan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28278573|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 July 2014|access-date=11 August 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Twardzik started in goal, in the opening game of the league season, in a 1–0 win over St Mirren.<ref>{{cite news|title=Motherwell 1–0 St Mirren|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28647036|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 August 2014|access-date=11 August 2014}}</ref> Since making his debut, Twardzik became the first choice goalkeeper, with manager Stuart McCall showing faith in him.<ref name="Dan Twardzik First Choice Goalkeeper"/>
On 26 January 2016, Twardzik left Motherwell by mutual consent.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
==International career== Despite being of Czech origin, Twardzik also claims German nationality.<ref name="Dan Twardzik Career"/> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Worldfootball.net|dan-twardzik|new_id=pe134970}} * {{DFB|dan-twardzik}} * {{Soccerbase}} * {{Soccerway|88585}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Twardzik, Dan}} Category:Living people Category:1991 births Category:Footballers from Třinec Category:Czech men's footballers Category:Men's association football goalkeepers Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:Regionalliga players Category:FC Bayern Munich footballers Category:Karlsruher SC players Category:Como 1907 players Category:Aberdeen F.C. players Category:Dundee F.C. players Category:Motherwell F.C. players Category:VSG Altglienicke players Category:Germany men's youth international footballers Category:Czech expatriate sportspeople in Scotland Category:Czech expatriate men's footballers Category:Czech expatriate sportspeople in Italy Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Italy Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Scotland Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy Category:21st-century German sportsmen Category:21st-century Czech sportsmen