Nardiello, Daniel

Birth Date

22nd October 1982

Birthplace

Coventry, Warwickshire

Occupation

Forward

Biographical Text

Welsh international Daniel Nardiello started his career with Manchester United and, after a number of loan moves, played on a permanent basis with Barnsley, QPR and Blackpool. Joining Exeter City from the Lancashire club Daniel had two League One seasons with the Grecians between 2010 and 2012 before moving to Rotherham United and later Bury.     

Born in Coventry, and on Wolves books when at school, Daniel played for England at under-15 and under-16 level prior to joining Manchester United as a scholar/trainee in 1999 once a compensation fee had been agreed for his services. Making his debut for the Old Trafford club in a League Cup tie at Arsenal in November 2001, he played twice more in 2002/03 before having loan stints at Swansea City and Barnsley in 2003/04.

Proving a success at Barnsley, Daniel returned to Oakwell on a season-long loan in 2004/05 ahead of signing permanently in June 2005. After helping Barnsley win promotion through the play-offs in 2006, Daniel enjoyed a Championship season with the club that culminated in him following in the footsteps of his father Donato (Coventry City and Wales) by winning the first of three Welsh caps when he appeared against New Zealand in May 2007. 

Daniel joined QPR in June 2007 in a move that was far from successful and, having spent the second half of 2007/08 on loan back at Barnsley, was on the move to Blackpool in June 2008 from where he was successively loaned to Hartlepool, Bury and Oldham Athletic. Released by Blackpool after fewer than ten first-team appearances, Daniel was hoping to get his career back on track when he signed a contract with League One Exeter City in July 2010.

The now 27-year-old Daniel made his Grecians debut against Colchester United on 7 August 2010 and proceeded to score thirteen times in 37 league and cup games as City finished 8th in League One. Particular highlights included scoring the winner in the dying seconds at Home Park, two strikes at Bristol Rovers and a goal at Hillsborough on the final day of the season. 

Having initially signed for a single season, Daniel added a further eleven goals from 40 competitive appearances during 2011/12 although, ultimately, his efforts failed to save City from relegation.    

Then, after two seasons at St James’ Park and 24 goals, Daniel moved to Rotherham United in May 2012 where he netted 19 times in his first season. Moving to Bury on loan in November 2013, and permanently in January 2014, Daniel finished his Football League career on loan with Plymouth Argyle with a final game against Oxford United in March 2016. He then spent just over a season with Bangor City before training as a financial adviser and, as of 2023, working for a wealth management company in Manchester.  

Daniel’s uncle Gerry Nardiello played for Shrewsbury, Cardiff and Torquay before settling in South Devon and joining the police. Gerry’s son Michael was an academy and youth player with Manchester United, Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion before suffering  injuries and returning home to Devon to play over a hundred times with Tiverton Town after briefly making reserve team appearances for Torquay United.      

Appearances

Exeter City

League 66; Cups 11 (77)

Goals

League 19; Cups 5 (24)

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