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Cristiano Fitzgerald

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Cristiano Fitzgerald
Personal information
Full name Cristiano Michael Fitzgerald[1]
Date of birth (2003-11-10) 10 November 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Singapore
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
2017–2019 Boavista
2019–2020 De Anza Force
2020–2024 Boavista
2024 Estrela da Amadora
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024– Maryland Terrapins 5 (0)
International career
2021 Republic of Ireland U19 2 (0)

Cristiano Michael Fitzgerald (born 10 November 2003) is a footballer who plays as a winger at the University of Maryland, College Park in the United States. Born in Singapore, he represents the Republic of Ireland at youth international level.

Early life

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Born in Singapore to an Irish father from Limerick and a French mother, Fitzgerald was named after then-Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo. His father had been watching the 2003–04 Premier League season opener against Bolton Wanderers, in which Ronaldo made his debut, and decided upon the name for his son.[2] He moved to London shortly after his first birthday, before spending seven years in San Diego, California.[3]

Club career

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Early career in Portugal

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He returned to Singapore, joining a local football team who would routinely tour Europe, playing in Spain, Sweden and Portugal.[2][3] His family moved again in 2017, this time to Porto, Portugal, and shortly after, he joined the academy of Boavista.[4] He also spent some time back in the United States due to his father's work, playing for the De Anza Force.[5][6]

He returned to Boavista in 2020, and a year later, he was clocked as one of the fastest players in world football.[7] He went on trial with Scottish club Dundee United in July 2022, but this amounted to nothing.[8] In September 2022, he was promoted to Boavista’s first team,[9][10] and made his unofficial debut for the club in a friendly match against French side Bordeaux on 16 December 2022.[3]

On 30 January 2024, Fitzgerald left Boavista, without ever making his official debut, and joined fellow Primeira Liga club Estrela da Amadora.[11]

Collegiate soccer

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After half a year with Estrela da Amadora, Fitzgerald moved to the United States, enrolling at the University of Maryland.[12][13]

International career

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Fitzgerald is eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland and France through his parents, Singapore through birth, and Portugal, having lived there since 2017.[2][4] He has expressed his desire to represent the Republic of Ireland.[14][15] In 2021, he made his first appearance for the Republic of Ireland at under-19 level.[16]

Personal life

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Fitzgerald's father, Jimmy, was a youth hurling player for the Limerick county hurling team in Ireland, and his brothers, Dean and Julian, play for Leça and Boavista's youth teams, respectively.[2][7]

References

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  1. ^ Cristiano Fitzgerald at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ a b c d Jorge da Cunha, Pedro (9 November 2021). "O irlandês: chama-se Cristiano, joga no Boavista e sonha ser Ronaldo" [The Irishman: his name is Cristiano, he plays for Boavista and dreams of being Ronaldo]. maisfutebol.iol.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  3. ^ a b c McCadden, Mark (4 January 2023). "Cristiano Fitzgerald reveals his Boavista and Ireland U21 dreams for 2023". irishmirror.ie. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b Byrne, Jonathan (10 November 2021). "Irish-Portuguese Phenom Cristiano Fitzgerald Has 'Ireland In His Heart'". balls.ie. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Game Report - Game ID #7268905". usasoccerda.com. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  6. ^ McCadden, Mark (6 October 2021). "Cristiano Fitzgerald is the latest overseas prospect for the Republic of Ireland". buzz.ie. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  7. ^ a b McCadden, Mark (6 October 2021). "Irish U19 starlet Cristiano Fitzgerald one of fastest players in world football". irishmirror.ie. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  8. ^ Burns, Scott (21 July 2022). "Cristiano Fitzgerald handed Dundee United transfer chance as Ronaldo namesake starts Tannadice trial". dailyrecord.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  9. ^ McCadden, Mark (2 September 2022). "EXCLUSIVE: Irish Cristiano wins first-team contract at Portuguese giants". irishmirror.ie. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Cristiano Fitzgerald prolonga contrato até 2026" [Cristiano Fitzgerald extends contract until 2026]. boavistafc.pt (in Portuguese). 19 December 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  11. ^ McCadden, Mark (30 January 2024). "Ireland hopeful Cristiano Fitzgerald moves to Patrice Evra-owned club". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  12. ^ Germack, Matt (28 August 2024). "MM 8.28: Maryland men's soccer adds forward Cristiano Fitzgerald from Portugal". testudotimes.com. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  13. ^ Harrington, Eoin (5 September 2024). "The Man With The Best Name In Irish Football Has Secured A US College Move". balls.ie. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  14. ^ O'Donoghue, Conor (10 November 2021). "Cristiano Fitzgerald the Irish Portugese [sic] sensation". irishpost.com. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  15. ^ Geary, Benjamin (11 November 2021). ""I have Ireland in my heart" - Boavista teenager Cristiano Fitzgerald on his name and returning to Limerick in the summer". limerickpost.ie. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  16. ^ "Report - MU19 2–2 Sweden". fai.ie. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
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