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On Monday, Miami FC added another impressive name to their roster with the addition of Argentine-Croatian forward Dario Cvitanich, 31. He is a well-traveled and accomplished striker having played in Argentina’s Primera Division, the Eredvisie, Ligue 1, and Liga MX prior to signing with NASL’s The Miami FC. As his track record demonstrates, Mr. Cvitanich is an accomplished striker.
Mr. Cvitanich made his professional debut with Argentina’s Club Atletico Banfield where he scored 34 goals and appeared in the 2007 Copa Libertadores. In his final year with the club, 2008, he was the top scorer in the Torneo Clausura. From Argentina, he moved to Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam for four years, including two loan spells abroad. His first loan was in in 2010-2011 to LigaMX’s Club de Futbol Pachuca where he assisted in the club’s run to the CONCACAF Champions League title. The second loan was to Argentina’s Club Atletico Boca Juniors where he helped the side claim the Torneo Apertura and reach the Copa Libertadores final in 2011-2012.
He then moved onto to France and played for Ligue 1 side OGC Nice for three years. The 2012-2013 season with OGC Nice was particularly noteworthy as he finished tied for second in the list of top scorers – behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Miami FC head coach Alessandro Nesta praised him by stating that "Dario is a welcome addition to our team…His experience in the CONCACAF, Argentine, and Dutch leagues make him an exceptional forward for Miami FC. I’m looking forward to working with him as well as our other great players to have this team come together on the field."
In a short video that can be found here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3aCZ-ZZs0U&sns=tw) Mr. Cvitanich added "I hope…to lay down the first brick of something that will be so great in the future." Clearly, The Miami FC and its players are thinking long term and are taking these first months to build a strong foundation they hope will last a long time.
Given Mr. Cvitanich’s playing record, one thing is certain, the Cosmos and the rest of the NASL had better have their defense ready for an onslaught. Mr. Cvitanich is a native of Argentina who also carries a Croatian passport through his father’s side of the family.