Domenico Criscito
Encyclopedia
Domenico Criscito is an Italian
footballer who plays as a defender
for Russian Premier League
club FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
. He is a versatile defender who started his career as a centre back but now usually plays at left back.
, for which made his debut in Serie B
in June 2003 at the age of 16. In the summer of 2004 Genoa sold 50% of his contract to Juventus
for €950K (€500K + co-ownership of Nocerino
's contract).
Team-mate Francesco Volpe
also joined the club for €950K in co-ownership deal.
Criscito played for Juventus' Primavera team alongside Italy U-21 teammates Claudio Marchisio
, Paolo De Ceglie
and Sebastian Giovinco
and together they won the 2006 Campionato Primavera. In the 2006–07 season, he returned to Genoa and established himself as one of the top young defenders in the Serie B
. In January, Juventus bought the remaining 50% of his contract for a combined price of €7.5 million. This was paid by the co-ownership of Masiello
and Konko
to Genoa
, and €5.25 million. He also signed a new contract with Juventus which will last until June 30, 2011.
Criscito made his Serie A
debut with Juventus
on August 25, 2007, in Juve's comeback game in Serie A versus Livorno, a crushing 5–1 victory. However, he endured a difficult time at the Turin club. He was deemed "too soft" after Francesco Totti
scored twice in six minutes in the September game, a 2–2 draw, against Roma
and substituted at half-time. After that, he found himself behind Nicola Legrottaglie
and Giorgio Chiellini
in the pecking order due to their outstanding form.
Not content to remain on the bench, Criscito opted to go return to Genoa
on loan in the opening days of the winter transfer window. In the summer of 2008, he was sent on loan to Genoa again with the Ligurian club having the option to purchase half of his contract for €5.5million. In February 2009, he scored his first goal since returning to Genoa, the winner against Palermo. His co-ownership agreement was made permanent for the 2009–10 season. He has been very impressive since re-joining Genoa, who were back in Serie A
by then, and retained a place in the starting line-up as Gian Piero Gasperini
's first choice left back. However, he did not rule out a return to Juventus after being linked to a permanent return to replace Fabio Grosso
. In September against Napoli
, Criscito was shown a straight red card for allegedly swearing at the referee after being penalized for a foul on Christian Maggio
but Gasperini later defended 23-year-old saying that he was angry at himself, not the referee. The appeal to rescind the red card was turned down but his ban was reduced to 2–3 matchdays.
On 25 June 2010, Juventus announced that the remaining 50% registration rights of Criscito were sold for another €6M.
On 27 June 2011 Criscito signed for Russian Premier League club Zenit St Petersburg for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around €15 million. He penned a 5-year contract with the club. He made his debut for the club on the 6th of August, in a 2-0 away victory against PFC CSKA Moscow, providing an assist for teammate Aleksandr Kerzhakov
.
squad in a match against the Czech Republic. He was present in two Euro U-21 Championships
, in 2007 and 2009. In 2008 he also represented Italy at the Summer Olympics
.
On 12 August 2009 he made his senior national team
debut in a friendly against Switzerland
in Basel
. After a promising season he was named in Marcello Lippi
's 23 men squad for the 2010 World Cup
, where he played as the left back starter. Under the current reign of Cesare Prandelli
, he is cementing his position as the primary left back.
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
footballer who plays as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for Russian Premier League
Russian Premier League
The Russian Premier League , currently called SOGAZ Russian Football Championship due to sponsorship reasons, is the top division of Russian football. There are 16 teams in the competition...
club FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
Football Club Zenit is a Russian football club from the city of Saint-Petersburg. Founded in 1925 , the club plays in the Russian Premier League...
. He is a versatile defender who started his career as a centre back but now usually plays at left back.
Club career
A native of southern Italy, Criscito moved up north at age 13 to pursue his football career. He started his professional career at GenoaGenoa C.F.C.
Genoa Cricket and Football Club, commonly referred to simply as Genoa , is a professional Italian football club based in the city of Genoa, Liguria...
, for which made his debut in Serie B
Serie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
in June 2003 at the age of 16. In the summer of 2004 Genoa sold 50% of his contract to Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
for €950K (€500K + co-ownership of Nocerino
Antonio Nocerino
Antonio Nocerino is an Italian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Milan and the Italian national team.-Juventus and early career:...
's contract).
Team-mate Francesco Volpe
Francesco Volpe
Francesco Volpe is an Italian footballer. He currently plays as a forward for Piacenza Calcio.-Football career:Volpe joined Juventus along with Domenico Criscito in 2004 in co-ownership deal, for €1.9M Francesco Volpe (born 3 March 1986) is an Italian footballer. He currently plays as a forward...
also joined the club for €950K in co-ownership deal.
Criscito played for Juventus' Primavera team alongside Italy U-21 teammates Claudio Marchisio
Claudio Marchisio
Claudio Marchisio is an Italian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Juventus and the Italian national team. A product of the Juventus youth system, he has spent his whole career thus far at his hometown club, with the exception of a season-long loan spell at Empoli...
, Paolo De Ceglie
Paolo De Ceglie
Paolo De Ceglie is an Italian footballer who plays for Serie A club Juventus.-Club career:De Ceglie joined Juventus' youth set-up as a youngster and idolized Pavel Nedvěd. He played in various youth competitions for Juve, including the Campionato Primavera and Coppa Italia Primavera...
and Sebastian Giovinco
Sebastian Giovinco
Sebastian Giovinco is an Italian footballer who plays for Serie A club Parma and the Italian national team. Giovinco is an attacking midfielder with noted dribbling skills, play-making skills and he is known for his freekicks....
and together they won the 2006 Campionato Primavera. In the 2006–07 season, he returned to Genoa and established himself as one of the top young defenders in the Serie B
Serie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
. In January, Juventus bought the remaining 50% of his contract for a combined price of €7.5 million. This was paid by the co-ownership of Masiello
Andrea Masiello
Andrea Masiello is an Italian footballer. He plays for Atalanta.-Juventus:A graduate of Juventus youth system, he made his Serie A debut at Juventus F.C., losing to Inter, 0–1 in home legs, 20 April 2005....
and Konko
Abdoulay Konko
Abdoulaye Konko Faye is a French footballer of Senegalese and Moroccan descent, who currently plays for Lazio in Serie A as a right back. He favours dribbling and can play anywhere on either wing.-Club career:...
to Genoa
Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa Cricket and Football Club, commonly referred to simply as Genoa , is a professional Italian football club based in the city of Genoa, Liguria...
, and €5.25 million. He also signed a new contract with Juventus which will last until June 30, 2011.
Criscito made his Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
debut with Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
on August 25, 2007, in Juve's comeback game in Serie A versus Livorno, a crushing 5–1 victory. However, he endured a difficult time at the Turin club. He was deemed "too soft" after Francesco Totti
Francesco Totti
Francesco Totti, Ufficiale OMRI, is an Italian footballer who is the captain of Serie A club Roma. His primary position is that of a trequartista, though he has also been successfully utilized as a lone striker. Totti has spent his entire career at Roma, is the number-one goalscorer and the most...
scored twice in six minutes in the September game, a 2–2 draw, against Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
and substituted at half-time. After that, he found himself behind Nicola Legrottaglie
Nicola Legrottaglie
Nicola Legrottaglie is an Italian footballer who plays for Calcio Catania in Serie A, as a central defender.-Early years:...
and Giorgio Chiellini
Giorgio Chiellini
Giorgio Chiellini is an Italian footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Juventus. He is a centre back, who started his career playing as a left back.-Livorno:...
in the pecking order due to their outstanding form.
Not content to remain on the bench, Criscito opted to go return to Genoa
Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa Cricket and Football Club, commonly referred to simply as Genoa , is a professional Italian football club based in the city of Genoa, Liguria...
on loan in the opening days of the winter transfer window. In the summer of 2008, he was sent on loan to Genoa again with the Ligurian club having the option to purchase half of his contract for €5.5million. In February 2009, he scored his first goal since returning to Genoa, the winner against Palermo. His co-ownership agreement was made permanent for the 2009–10 season. He has been very impressive since re-joining Genoa, who were back in Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
by then, and retained a place in the starting line-up as Gian Piero Gasperini
Gian Piero Gasperini
Gian Piero Gasperini is an Italian football coach.He has been nicknamed "Gasperson" after Enrico Preziosi, president of Genoa, claimed Gasperini to be their Ferguson.- Playing :...
's first choice left back. However, he did not rule out a return to Juventus after being linked to a permanent return to replace Fabio Grosso
Fabio Grosso
Fabio Grosso, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Juventus. Grosso is primarily a left wingback, but can also play as left back. He is also a free kick, penalty kick and corner kick specialist...
. In September against Napoli
S.S.C. Napoli
Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli, commonly referred to as Napoli, is a professional Italian football club based in Naples and founded in 1926. The club has spent most of its history in Serie A, where it currently plays its 2011–12 season....
, Criscito was shown a straight red card for allegedly swearing at the referee after being penalized for a foul on Christian Maggio
Christian Maggio
Christian Maggio is an Italian footballer who currently plays as a defender for Serie A club Napoli and Italian national team.-Vicenza:Maggio began his career at Vicenza making his Serie A debut in the 2000–2001 season, finishing the campaign with six appearances...
but Gasperini later defended 23-year-old saying that he was angry at himself, not the referee. The appeal to rescind the red card was turned down but his ban was reduced to 2–3 matchdays.
On 25 June 2010, Juventus announced that the remaining 50% registration rights of Criscito were sold for another €6M.
On 27 June 2011 Criscito signed for Russian Premier League club Zenit St Petersburg for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around €15 million. He penned a 5-year contract with the club. He made his debut for the club on the 6th of August, in a 2-0 away victory against PFC CSKA Moscow, providing an assist for teammate Aleksandr Kerzhakov
Aleksandr Kerzhakov
Aleksandr Anatolyevich Kerzhakov is a Russian international association football striker currently playing for Russian Premier League club Zenit St. Petersburg.-Zenit:...
.
International career
On 14 November 2006 Criscito made his debut with the Italy U-21Italy national under-21 football team
The Italy national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Italy and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation.The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
squad in a match against the Czech Republic. He was present in two Euro U-21 Championships
UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
The European Under-21 Football Championship is a football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. It is held every two years. The competition has existed in its current form since 1978. It was preceded by the Under 23 Challenge Cup which ran from 1967 to 1970...
, in 2007 and 2009. In 2008 he also represented Italy at the Summer Olympics
Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics was held in Beijing and several other cities in the People's Republic of China from 6 August to 23 August. Associations affiliated with FIFA were invited to send their full women's national teams and men's U-23 teams to participate...
.
On 12 August 2009 he made his senior national team
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
debut in a friendly against Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
in Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
. After a promising season he was named in Marcello Lippi
Marcello Lippi
Marcello Lippi, Commendatore OMRI is a former Italian World Cup-winning football manager and former player. He served as Italian national team head coach from 16 July 2004 to 12 July 2006 and led Italy to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was re-appointed as Italian head coach in the summer of 2008...
's 23 men squad for the 2010 World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
, where he played as the left back starter. Under the current reign of Cesare Prandelli
Cesare Prandelli
Cesare Claudio Prandelli is an Italian football coach and former player. He is currently the manager of the Italy national football team.-Playing career:...
, he is cementing his position as the primary left back.