Player Profile: Dominic Matteo

Full Name: Dominic Matteo
Date of Birth: 24th April 1974, Dumfries
Nationality: Scottish
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 21
Internationals: 6 Caps for Scotland (2000-2002)
Signed: July 2004
Previous Clubs: Liverpool, Sunderland (loan) & Leeds United

Dominic Matteo is very much a peripheral character of the current Blackburn Rovers squad, but for the time being at least he is still just that, part of the squad.

Matteo was a product of Liverpool's School of Excellence. An eight-year stay at Anfield saw him make almost 150 first team appearances. Without some quality you do not represent any top flight club, especially one of Liverpool's stature that many times if you don`t have the quality needed.

Leeds United snapped up Matteo in 2000 and what better way to make a debut than against the mighty AC Milan in the Champions League!

Despite representing England at under-21 International level Matteo eventually represented the land of his birth. In a two-year International career from 2000-2002 Matteo won six caps for Scotland, making his debut against Australia in November 2000. The strains of International football were too much for Matteo and he called time in his brief career in 2002.

Graeme Souness brought Matteo (who he gave his Anfield break to whilst in charge of Liverpool) to Ewood Park in the summer of 2004 following Leeds' relegation from the Premiership, with them unable to afford his wages to retain their captain.

The former Rovers captain is a consummate professional and despite being hampered with injuries in recent years it was thought that Matteo would have remained an important member of the squad for the 2006-2007 season, although he has not featured at all so far this season with a move away from Ewood Park very likely soon.

Blackburn Rovers appearances and goals up to the start of the 2006-2007 Season
League: 34 (3 as sub)
FA Cup: 5 - 1 goal
League Cup: 0
Other (European etc.): 0
TOTAL: 39 - 1 goal

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