Andrea Merenda
Andrea Merenda (born 10 June 1977 in Milan) is an Italian football midfielder who currently plays for Marconi Stallions in the NSW Premier League.
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Andrea Merenda | ||
| Date of birth | 10 June 1977 | ||
| Place of birth | Milan, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Playing position(s) | Central Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Marconi Stallions | ||
| Number | 30 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1994–1998 | A.C. Pro Sesto | ||
| 1998–2001 | Gualdo Calcio | ||
| 2001–2002 | Usmate | ||
| 2002–2005 | A.C. Mantova | ||
| 2003–2004 | Belluno (loan) | ||
| 2004–2005 | → A.S. Casale Calcio (loan) | ||
| 2005–2006 | US Poggibonsi | ||
| 2006 | Alghero Calcio | ||
| 2007 | Calcio Magenta | ||
| 2007–2008 | ASD Santarcangelo | ||
| 2008–2009 | Calcio Lecco | ||
| 2009–present | Central Coast Mariners | 0 | (0) |
| – | Marconi Stallions | ||
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18 September 2007 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22 October 2007 | |||
Biography
Merenda had been in training with the Mariners for a month before earning his shot at the Hyundai A-League, having most recently completed the 2007/08 Italian Serie C1 campaign with Calcio Lecco, an historic club from the north of Italy once coached by Roberto Donadoni.
Born in Milan, Merenda came to Australia seeking a fresh challenge after 16 seasons in his home country that included stints at nine clubs across various divisions – peaking with six seasons in the third-tier Serie C1, a division that once pitted Merenda against current Qantas Socceroo Carl Valeri.
Equally at home in defence or midfield, Merenda was introduced to the yellow and navy set up as short-term cover for injured attacking ace Ahmad Elrich. Merenda's signing, albeit on a short-term basis, was a significant one for the Mariners, who until his capture had yet to engage the services of a foreign player from abroad. He was released after failing to break into the first team.