| Dario Šits | |
| Birth Date: | 4 February 2004 |
| Birth Place: | Kuldiga, Latvia |
| Height: | 1.87 m |
| Position: | Striker |
| Currentclub: | Helmond Sport (on loan from Parma) |
| Clubnumber: | 9 |
| Youthyears1: | 2014–2020 |
| Youthclubs1: | Metta |
| Youthyears2: | 2020–2021 |
| Youthclubs2: | Parma |
| Years1: | 2021– |
| Clubs1: | Parma |
| Caps1: | 5 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2023–2024 |
| Clubs2: | → SPAL (loan) |
| Caps2: | 1 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2024– |
| Clubs3: | → Helmond Sport (loan) |
| Caps3: | 12 |
| Goals3: | 4 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2019 |
| Nationalteam1: | Latvia U16 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 4 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 4 |
| Nationalyears2: | 2020 |
| Nationalteam2: | Latvia U17 |
| Nationalcaps2: | 2 |
| Nationalgoals2: | 1 |
| Nationalyears3: | 2022 |
| Nationalteam3: | Latvia U19 |
| Nationalcaps3: | 1 |
| Nationalgoals3: | 0 |
| Nationalyears4: | 2022–2024 |
| Nationalteam4: | Latvia U21 |
| Nationalcaps4: | 4 |
| Nationalgoals4: | 1 |
| Nationalyears5: | 2024– |
| Nationalteam5: | Latvia |
| Nationalcaps5: | 3 |
| Nationalgoals5: | 1 |
| Club-Update: | 09:44, 25 September 2024 (UTC) |
| Ntupdate: | 27 November 2024 |
Dario Šits (born 4 February 2004) is a Latvian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Eerste Divisie club Helmond Sport, on loan from Parma, and the Latvia national team.
Born in Kuldīga,[1] Šits started playing football at FK Metta, before joining Italian side Parma in 2020.[2] Following his performances for the Under-17 and Primavera teams, the forward earned his first call-ups to the club's first team during the 2021–22 season, under head coach Giuseppe Iachini.[3]
On 2 March 2022, Šits made his professional debut for Parma, starting in a 1–1 Serie B draw against AC Monza.[4] On 11 March, shortly after coming on as a substitute in a league match against Cittadella, the forward earned a penalty kick for his side, which was then missed by Juan Brunetta: the fixture ended in a 1–1 draw.[5]
On 6 October of the same year, Šits extended his contract with Parma until 2026.
On 24 August 2023, Šits joined Serie C club SPAL on a season-long loan, with an option to buy in favor of the club and a buy-back clause in favor of Parma.[6] [7] [8] He made his debut for the club on 2 September, starting in a 1–0 league win over Vis Pesaro:[9] however, he suffered an ACL injury in the same game, thus being forced to enter long-term convalescence.[10] [11]
On 18 July 2024, Šits joined Dutch Eerste Divisie club Helmond Sport on a season-long loan deal, with an option to buy.[12] [13] He made his debut in the opening fixture of the season, starting in a 1–1 home draw against Jong Utrecht.[14] [15]
Šits has represented Latvia at various youth international levels, having played for the under-17, under-19 and under-21 national teams.[16]
In October 2024, Dario Šits received his first call-up to the Latvia national football team for the matches against the Faroe Islands and North Macedonia.[17]
On 10 October Dario Šits made his debut for the Latvia national football team team in a UEFA Nations League match against North Macedonia, coming on as a substitute in the 17th minute to replace the injured Vladislavs Gutkovskis. This debut came immediately after Paolo Nicolato's first call-up.[18]
In just his second match for the Latvia national team, Dario Šits scored his first goal for the team. Coming on as a substitute in the 66th minute, replacing Jānis Ikaunieks, by the 69th minute, after a fantastic cross from Andrejs Cigaņiks, Dario Šits scored with his first touch.[19]
Šits is a centre-forward, who has been praised mainly for his technical and physical abilities, as well as his speed, his work rate and his finishing. Mainly a right-footed player, he is also capable of using his left foot.
| Season | League | Coppa Italia | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Parma | 2021–22 | Serie B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | |||
| 2022–23 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||
| SPAL (loan) | 2023–24 | Serie C | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |||