Antonio Candreva

Ternana

Candreva started playing for the youth teams at local club Lodigiani, then transferred to Serie C1 team Ternana in 2003 and played several games for the first team when they were promoted to Serie B for the 2004–05 season. After Ternana were relegated back to Serie C1 the following season, he became a regular in the side and attracted the interest of several Serie A clubs.

Udinese

In June 2007, Candreva was then signed by Serie A club Udinese and played for their Primavera (U-20) team as an overage player. He made his Serie A debut on 27 January 2008 against Inter, and managed several appearances for the first team throughout the season.

Loans to Livorno

The 21-year-old was successively loaned out to Serie B outfit Livorno for the 2008–09 season. Together with Alessandro Diamanti, he helped the Tuscan side regain promotion to Serie A as playoff winners. After a successful first season, the loan deal between Udinese and Livorno was subsequently extended to one more year, thus giving Candreva the opportunity to play a full season as a regular in the Italian top flight.

Loans to Juventus

On 20 January 2010, it was confirmed Serie A giants Juventus had signed Candreva on loan for the rest of the season, for €500,000, with Juventus having an option to buy half of his contract from Udinese at the end of the season. He scored his first Serie A goal, the winner against Bologna, less than ten minutes after coming on as a substitute…

Candreva played for Italy since the U-18 level, making his debut in October 2004. After taking part in his nation's victorious campaign in the 2008 Toulon Tournament, Candreva was named in reserve list for the upcoming Olympics; he was eventually called up as an injury replacement for Tommaso Rocchi. He made his U-21 debut on 9 September 2008 in the 2009 Under-21 European Championship qualifier against Croatia. In May, he was called up to the 23-man squad for 2009 Under-21 European Championships, initially as second choice, and made several substitute appearances as Italy reached the semi-finals of the tournament, in which he started, losing 1–0 to eventual champions Germany. On 14 November 2009, Candreva made his senior national team debut in a friendly match against the Netherlands, which ended in a 0–0 draw. In early May, Candreva was called up for the training camp prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup; he was included by manager Marcello Lippi in the 30-man preliminary squad announced on 11 May 2010, but was dropped from the 28-man provisional team a week later. In October 2012, Antonio Candreva was recalled to the Italy national team by manager Cesare Prandelli to play in a double fixture for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification. Candreva earned a spot in the national team following his top performances for Lazio playing in both qualifiers. In June 2013, Candreva was selected by Prandelli to play in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. In the knockout stages of the tournament…

Naturally right-footed, Candreva could be deployed in several midfield positions due to his versatility, although he usually played either in a central role as an attacking midfielder or more frequently as a traditional winger on the right side of the pitch; a former forward, he was also capable of playing on the left, and was at times used as a wing-back or full-back, as a second striker, as a central or box-to-box midfielder, as a mezzala, or even in a deeper role in front of the back-line, due to his defensive work-rate and tactical awareness. He was also deployed as a false attacking midfielder on occasion. A dynamic, tenacious, physical, and well-rounded player, Candreva was well known for his pace, stamina, consistency and work-rate, which enabled him to cover the flank effectively, as well as his eye for goal; he was known for his ability to get forward, and possesses a powerful, accurate long-range shot with both feet, as well as being an accurate free kick and penalty kick taker. He was also gifted with vision and creativity, as well as precise passing, good distribution, and his excellent crossing ability and set-piece delivery, which enabled him to create chances and provide several assists for teammates. In addition to these attributes, Candreva possessed good technical ability, ball control and dribbling skills, which enabled him to get past opposing defenders and both exploit and create space for his team.

Candreva was born on 28 February 1987 in Rome. Candreva is of part Arbëreshe descent as his grandfather, on his father's side, is from the Arbëreshë village of Falconara Albanese in Cosenza.