Andrew Durante

Andrew James Durante (born 3 May 1982 in Sydney, New South Wales) is a retired New Zealand international footballer who last played for Western United in the A-League.

Born in Sydney, Australia, Durante played youth football with Sydney Olympic before making his senior debut at the club. He also played for Parramatta Power before moving to Singapore to play for Balestier Khalsa. After returning to Australia to play for Sydney United, Durante joined Newcastle Jets in the newly formed A-League. Durante joined Wellington Phoenix in 2008 and was given the captaincy and is currently the player with the most appearances for the club. He has also spent time on loan at Sydney FC for the Asian Champions League in 2011.

Durante became eligible to play for New Zealand in 2013, having lived in the country for five years.

In 1999, Durante was shot in the chest after being substituted during a trial match for Sydney Olympic's reserve team. The incident occurred in Mahoney Park of Sydney. After team mates noticed that he had been shot, the match was immediately abandoned and all the players ran into the change rooms. Durante's injury was not serious and he returned to the pitch just weeks later. The perpetrator was never found.

Club Career

Newcastle Jets

Durante won the A-League Grand Final with the Jets in 2008 and was awarded the Joe Marston Medal in a man-of-the-match performance.

Wellington Phoenix

Durante joined the Phoenix in as captain at the start of the 2008–09 season and made an instant impact helping them make the final of the Pre-Season cup against Melbourne Victory, only narrowly losing 7–8 on penalty kicks.

In October 2009 Durante extended his contract with Wellington Phoenix until the end of 2011–12 season.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Эндрю Дюранте (russian)