Dario Zanatta Explained

Dario Zanatta
Fullname:Dario Zanatta
Birth Date:1997 5, df=y
Birth Place:Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Pacific FC
Clubnumber:10
Youthyears1:2002–2007
Youthclubs1:Gorge FC
Youthyears2:2008–2011
Youthclubs2:Victoria Capitals
Youthyears3:2011–2015
Youthclubs3:Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Youthyears4:2015
Youthclubs4:Heart of Midlothian
Years1:2015–2019
Clubs1:Heart of Midlothian
Caps1:15
Goals1:1
Years2:2016–2017
Clubs2:Queen's Park (loan)
Caps2:24
Goals2:6
Years3:2017–2018
Clubs3:Raith Rovers (loan)
Caps3:25
Goals3:7
Years4:2018–2019
Clubs4:Alloa Athletic (loan)
Caps4:34
Goals4:6
Years5:2019–2020
Clubs5:Partick Thistle
Caps5:23
Goals5:3
Years6:2020–2021
Clubs6:Ayr United
Caps6:13
Goals6:0
Years7:2021–2022
Clubs7:Raith Rovers
Caps7:33
Goals7:8
Years8:2022–2024
Clubs8:Hamilton Academical
Caps8:36
Goals8:1
Years9:2024–
Clubs9:Pacific FC
Caps9:1
Goals9:0
Nationalyears1:2013
Nationalteam1:Canada U16
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:2
Nationalyears2:2014
Nationalteam2:Canada U18
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2015–2017
Nationalteam3:Canada U20
Nationalcaps3:7
Nationalgoals3:1
Pcupdate:April 13, 2024
Ntupdate:19:01, 7 June 2020 (UTC)

Dario Zanatta (born 24 May 1997) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Canadian Premier League club Pacific FC. Zanatta has spent most of his senior career in Scotland and has previously played for Heart of Midlothian, Queen's Park, Alloa Athletic, Partick Thistle, Ayr United, and Hamilton Academical. He has also represented the Canada national team at youth level.

Club career

Youth

Zanatta grew up playing for Gorge Soccer Association and Lower Island Metro[1] during his childhood years.[2] As a teenager, he played as a forward and midfielder for the Victoria Capitals youth program before joining Vancouver Whitecaps Residency in 2011, aged 14.[3] Zanatta was offered a spot in the academy and slowly worked his way up the academy ranks. He left Vancouver in February 2015, having been unable to agree to terms on a contract and set his ambitions on Europe[4] and went on trial with several European clubs, including Ipswich Town,[5] IFK Göteborg and Heart of Midlothian.[6]

Heart of Midlothian

Zanatta signed his first professional contract on 6 August 2015, signing with Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian, on a two-year contract,[7] initially joining up with the club's under-20 side.[1] Zanatta made his first team debut on 31 October, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute in a Scottish Premiership match against Partick Thistle at Firhill Stadium, replacing Sam Nicholson in a 4–0 win.[8] In January 2016, Zanatta was originally expected to be loaned to a lower division club, but he impressed Hearts coach Robbie Neilson enough to stay with the first team.[9]

Loans to Queen's Park

In September 2016, Hearts announced they had loaned Zanatta to Queen's Park of the Scottish League One on a one-month emergency loan.[10] [11] He made his debut for Queen's Park on 24 September 2016 against Albion Rovers, impressing after only being with the squad for one training session.[12] In November 2016, Zanatta scored his first goal as a professional in a match against Stranraer.[13]

Zanatta returned from loan in December 2016, and made his Hearts season debut against Kilmarnock, drawing and missing a penalty.[14] On 31 January 2017, Zanatta joined Queen's Park on another loan, this time, until the end of season.[15]

Loans to Raith Rovers

On 31 August 2017, it was revealed that Zanatta had joined Raith Rovers on a loan deal until the end of the season.[16] After impressing in his loan spell, Zanatta was recalled by Hearts in January 2018, and his departure was considered a significant blow to Rovers' promotion battle with Ayr United.[17] [18] In his first appearance with Hearts after his recall, Zanatta would score his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over Hamilton Academical.[19] At the end of January 2018, Zanatta was loaned again to Raith Rovers for the rest of the 2017–18 season.

Loan to Alloa Athletic

In August 2018, Zanatta moved on loan to Scottish Championship club Alloa Athletic until January 2019.[20] He would be named Championship player of the month for December 2018.[21] After a strong first half of the season with Alloa, Zanatta was rewarded with a one-year contract extension with Hearts,[22] with his loan being extended to the end of the 2018–19 season.[23]

Partick Thistle

Zanatta left Hearts in August 2019 and signed a two-year contract with Partick Thistle.[24] Zanatta made his Jags debut on the 31st of August against Ayr United, winning a penalty for the opener before assisting Shea Gordon after dribbling past 5 opposition players. He was named man of the match on his debut appearance.[25] Zanatta scored his first goal for the Jags in a 3–1 away league win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[26] Following Thistle's early relegation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zanatta invoked a release clause in his contract and he left the club on June 7, 2020.[27]

Ayr United

On July 21, 2020, Zanatta signed for Championship club Ayr United on a one-year deal.[28] He scored on his debut for Ayr in a Scottish League Cup tie against Albion Rovers on 6 October 2020.[29]

Raith Rovers

In March 2021, Zanatta would sign a pre-contract with Championship club Raith Rovers for the 2021–22 season.[30] He would make his debut for the club in July 2021 in a League Cup tie against Cowdenbeath.

Hamilton Academical

In August 2022, Zanatta moved to fellow Championship side Hamilton Academical for an undisclosed transfer fee and signed a two-year contract.[31] [32]

Pacific FC

On February 20, 2024, Pacific FC announced the signing of the Victoria native on a free transfer, ahead of the 2024 Canadian Premier League season.[33]

International career

In August 2016, Zanatta was called up to the Canada U-20 team for a pair of friendlies against Costa Rica[34] and scored a goal in the first match.[35] In February 2017, Zanatta was named to Canada's roster for the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship[36]

Zanatta was named to the Canadian U-23 provisional roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship on February 26, 2020.[37]

Personal life

Zanatta grew up in Victoria, British Columbia and attended Prospect Lake Elementary School, Royal Oak Middle School, then Holy Cross Regional High School in Surrey, British Columbia and graduated from Burnaby Central Secondary School.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueScottish CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Heart of Midlothian2015–16Scottish Premiership130100000140
2016–171020000030
2017–181100000011
2018–190000000000
2019–200000400040
Total151304000221
Queen's Park (loan)2016–17Scottish League One246000000246
Raith Rovers (loan)2017–18Scottish League One257000020277
Alloa Athletic (loan)2018–19Scottish Championship346210031398
Partick Thistle2019–20Scottish Championship233200000253
Ayr United2020–21Scottish Championship130005100181
Raith Rovers2021–22Scottish Championship3183062504510
2022–232000300050
Total3383092505010
Hamilton Academical2022–23Scottish Championship271300085386
2023–24Scottish League One90103022152
Total3614030107538
Total2033114121320825843

Honours

Raith Rovers

Hamilton Academical

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 16 August 2015 . Victoria teenager signs for Scottish soccer club Hearts . 1 November 2015 . timescolonist.com . Times Colonist.
  2. Web site: Dario Zanatta Biography . 1 November 2015 . Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  3. Web site: Hearts set to snap up Canada U18 cap Dario Zanatta . . heraldscotland.com . 16 July 2015 . 1 November 2015.
  4. Web site: Canadian U18 international Dario Zanatta leaves Whitecaps to explore opportunities in Europe . AFTN.ca . Canadian Soccer News . 24 February 2015 . 1 November 2015.
  5. Web site: Gerks stakes first-team claim after 90 minutes in comeback game at Portman Road . . itfc.co.uk . 30 March 2015 . 1 November 2015.
  6. Web site: Hearts bring in Canadian youth cap Dario Zanatta . . heraldscotland.com . 7 August 2015 . 1 November 2015.
  7. Web site: Hearts deal for Canadian kid Dario Zanatta . . edinburghnews.scotsman.com . 6 August 2015 . 1 November 2015 . 2 September 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170902002133/http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/hearts-deal-for-canadian-kid-dario-zanatta-1-3850388 . dead .
  8. Web site: Hearts moved up to second place in the Premiership with a clinical and impressive victory over Partick Thistle. . . bbc.co.uk/sport . 31 October 2015 . 1 November 2015.
  9. Web site: Dario Zanatta forces Hearts boss Neilson into loan rethink . Edinburgh News . 20 January 2016 . 10 February 2016 . 15 February 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160215224220/http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/dario-zanatta-forces-hearts-boss-neilson-into-loan-rethink-1-4005572 . dead .
  10. Web site: Loan Moves for Duo. Heart of Midlothian Football Club. 23 September 2016.
  11. Web site: Signing News- Dario Zanatta. Queen's Park FC Football Club. 23 September 2016. 24 September 2016. 25 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160925022008/http://www.queensparkfc.co.uk/?p=1332. dead.
  12. Web site: Albion Rovers v Queen's Park: Loan signing Dario Zanatta boosts Spiders' attacking options. Murray Spooner. Daily Record. 30 September 2016.
  13. Web site: What a difference a week makes!. Queens Park FC. Queens Park FC. 5 November 2016. 27 November 2016. 28 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161128050246/http://www.queensparkfc.co.uk/?p=1784. dead.
  14. Web site: Heart of Midlothian 4 0 Kilmarnock. BBC. Ricahrd Wilson. 27 December 2016.
  15. Web site: DARIO HEADS TO QUEEN'S PARK. Hearts Media. heartsfc.co.uk. 31 January 2017.
  16. Web site: DARIO LOAN MOVE Heart of Midlothian News. www.heartsfc.co.uk. en. 2017-08-31.
  17. Web site: Raith dealt big blow ahead of crunch clash after Hearts recall Dario Zanatta from loan spell. The Courier. Neil Robertson. 10 January 2017.
  18. Web site: Blow for Raith as Hearts recall Zanatta on eve of big game. Fife Today. Matthew Elder. 10 January 2018.
  19. Web site: Hamilton 0 Hearts 3 as Jambos secure eighth clean sheet on the spin with teens starring again - 3 talking points. Daily Record. 24 January 2018.
  20. Web site: Hearts attacker Dario Zanatta joins Alloa on loan. . edinburghnews.scotsman.com . 16 August 2018 . 12 January 2019.
  21. Web site: Dario Zanatta believes extending Alloa stay will help him make grade at Hearts. Edinburgh Evening News. Lindsay Herron. January 11, 2019.
  22. Web site: Dario Zanatta and Lewis Moore handed Hearts contract extensions. Edingburh Live. Ross Pilcher. January 12, 2019.
  23. Web site: Hearts' Malaury Martin and Aidan Keena recalled from Dunfermline loans. . bbc.co.uk/sport . 15 January 2019 . 16 January 2019.
  24. News: Hearts forward Dario Zanatta signs two-year deal with Partick Thistle . Barry . Anderson . Edinburgh Evening News . 27 August 2019 . 27 August 2019.
  25. News: Doolan nets as Ayr beat nine-man Thistle. BBC Sport.
  26. News: Partick win in McCall's first game. BBC Sport.
  27. Web site: Dario Zanatta leaves the Club. June 7, 2020.
  28. Web site: 2020-07-21. Zanatta joins the squad – Ayr United Football Club. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20200721141204/https://ayrunitedfc.co.uk/zanatta-joins-the-squad/?fbclid=IwAR2jW8hudHgt2GG4o16HvsYwPs_rbuQ2YOwvE9NFEWrMRmvsKHOow5TRgDc. July 21, 2020. 2021-06-01. ayrunitedfc.co.uk.
  29. News: Albion Rovers vs Ayr United. Viaplay Cup Group F.. Sky Sports . 6 October 2020 . 16 April 2024 .
  30. Web site: Dario Zanatta signs on at Raith Rovers. Raith Rovers. March 29, 2021.
  31. Web site: Dario Zanatta signs for Accies!. 24 August 2022.
  32. News: Dario Zanatta joins Hamilton from Raith Rovers for 'undisclosed fee' . The Courier . Scott . Lorimer. August 24, 2022.
  33. Web site: 2024-02-20 . Pacific FC sign Canadian winger Dario Zanatta . 2024-02-20 . Canadian Premier League.
  34. Web site: Canada m20 announces squad and matches against Costa Rica. Canada Soccer Association. 24 August 2016. 25 August 2016. 28 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180728101116/https://canadasoccer.com/canada-m20-announces-squad-and-matches-against-costa-rica-p159838. dead.
  35. Web site: 21' Zanatta finishes from a nice passing combo between Brault, Borges and Tabla 1:0 #CanM20 . Canada Soccer . Twitter. 1 September 2016 . 16 March 2018 .
  36. Web site: Canada names young squad for CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Neil Davidson. Sportsnet. 9 Feb 2017.
  37. Web site: Canada Soccer announces Provisional List for Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying . Canada Soccer . 26 February 2020 . 26 February 2020 . 9 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200309191149/https://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-soccer-announces-provisional-list-for-concacaf-men-s-olympic-qualifying-p162594-preview-1 . dead .
  38. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65008695 Raith Rovers 0–1 Hamilton Academical