Dani Aquino

Daniel "Dani" Aquino Pintos (born 27 July 1990) is a Spanish footballer who plays for CD Badajoz. Left-footed, he can play anywhere on the attacking line but usually appears as both a winger or forward.

Club Career

Born in Murcia, Aquino made his professional debut for local Real Murcia at only 16 years of age, during 2006–07 in the second division, against CD Tenerife; he scored in a 1–4 home loss for his only appearance of the season, which ended in promotion. In early 2007, rumours surfaced that Chelsea and Liverpool, amongst others, were after the youngster. Eventually no deals were arranged, as the player chose to stay in the country to further his development.

Aquino first appeared in La Liga on 20 January 2008, in a 3–1 away defeat against Real Zaragoza. After coach Lucas Alcaraz's dismissal and the arrival of Javier Clemente, he finished the campaign in the starting XI, and showed glimpses of an emerging talent. On 30 March he provided a cross for Quique de Lucas' opener at Deportivo de La Coruna (another 3–1 loss), and scored his first-top flight goal two months later, away against Racing de Santander – Murcia led by 2–0, lost 3–2 and ratified its relegation.