1990–1997 Feirense 1997–1999 Feirense Role Footballer | Years Team Name Dani Rodrigues Height 1.80 m | |
Full name Daniel Ferreira Rodrigues Date of birth (1980-03-03) 3 March 1980 (age 35) Place of birth Sao Joao da Madeira, Portugal | ||
Daniel 'Dani' Ferreira Rodrigues (born 3 March 1980) is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a winger.
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Portugal
Born in Sao Joao da Madeira, Rodrigues started his career for C.D. Feirense, playing one full season in the second division. In November 1998 he went on loan to Bournemouth in England, being spotted by scouts from nearby Premier League club Southampton who recommended him to manager Glenn Hoddle.
England
In an act of "un-neighbourly piracy", Southampton nipped in and signed Rodrigues from Feirense for £200,000. He played two games as a substitute at the end of the 1999–2000 season, against Leicester City and Wimbledon.
Rodrigues showed promise and, when he went on loan to Bristol City at the end of 2000, he was an instant hit, but he broke an ankle in a match against Reading. He returned to the Saints and was fighting his way back to full fitness, when he broke the same ankle in training.
In an effort to rebuild his career, Rodrigues spent another spell on loan to Bristol City. Southampton released him from his contract in July 2002, and he was signed by Walsall on a free transfer.
Greece / Return to England
Rodrigues was released by Walsall in January 2003, having made just one substitute appearance against Ipswich Town. He joined Ionikos F.C. in Greece shortly after, scoring both of his league goals for the side in the last round, as it narrowly avoided top flight relegation.
In March 2004, Rodrigues returned to England joining Yeovil Town on a short-term contract, and netted four goals in four appearances. His goal-scoring exploits at the team impressed Bournemouth boss Sean O'Driscoll and he re-joined the Cherries for a second spell at the start of the 2004–05 campaign.
In his second spell for Bournemouth, Rodrigues made 23 league starts (plus 29 appearances from the bench) and scored six goals.
New Zealand Knights
In August 2006 Rodrigues signed for New Zealand Knights in New Zealand, where he once again was seriously injured, this time with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament which kept him out of the game for the rest of the season.
Final spell in England
On 20 September 2007 Rodrigues joined Eastleigh, but was soon deemed surplus to requirements after the arrival of new manager Ian Baird.
On 2 November, he moved to the Conference South with Dorchester Town. He made his debut in a match at Newport County on the following day; on 29 December 2007, the Magpies announced the player would not remain with the team.
Cyprus
For 2008–09, Rodrigues moved to Cyprus and signed for Onisilos Sotira in the second level. He would remain in the country in the following years, representing several clubs.