Daniel Caligiuri (pronounced [kaliˈdʒuːri]; born 15 January 1988) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Club career

Born in Germany to an Italian father and a German mother, Caligiuri began his professional career with SC Freiburg. Caligiuri made his Bundesliga debut for Freiburg on 7 November 2009, starting against VfL Bochum. He joined VfL Wolfsburg in 2013 after a solid season with Freiburg. On 19 March 2015, Caligiuri scored in the second leg of the round of 16 in the Europa League against Inter Milan.

On 30 May 2015, he played as Wolfsburg won the German Cup for the first time defeating Borussia Dortmund 3–1 at the Olympic Stadium, Berlin.

On 25 January 2017, Caligiuri was announced as joining Bundesliga rivals Schalke 04 on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

On 29 June 2020, Caligiuri joined FC Augsburg on a free transfer at the end of the 2019–20 season. He signed a three-year contract.

On 2 February 2025, Caligiuri announced his retirement from professional football.

International career

Caligiuri was eligible to represent both Germany through being born there (and to a German mother), as well as Italy through having an Italian father. On 22 May 2015, Caligiuri expressed his desire to play for the country of his father's heritage, stating "I have always said that I will play for the national team which invites me first. And I have big hopes now to be part of the Italy squad."

On 31 May 2015, it was announced that Antonio Conte named Caligiuri alongside fellow débutant Nicola Sansone in his preliminary squad for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Croatia, but he was dropped from the squad on 6 June.

Personal life

Caligiuri is of Italian Arbereshë descent. His older brother Marco is a former professional footballer, who last played for Greuther Fürth.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
SC Freiburg II2006–07Oberliga3030
2007–08Oberliga132132
2008–09Regionalliga327327
2009–10Regionalliga19131913
2010–11Regionalliga1010
2011–12Regionalliga2121
Total70237023
SC Freiburg2009–10Bundesliga16000160
2010–11Bundesliga23020250
2011–12Bundesliga25610266
2012–13Bundesliga29543338
Total93117310014
VfL Wolfsburg2013–14Bundesliga24130271
2014–15Bundesliga287621114510
2015–16Bundesliga292208110403
2016–17Bundesliga16220182
Total97121321921013016
Schalke 042016–17Bundesliga1622151234
2017–18Bundesliga33640376
2018–19Bundesliga3173060407
2019–20Bundesliga28222304
Total1081711311113021
FC Augsburg2020–21Bundesliga33621357
2021–22Bundesliga28410294
2022–23Bundesliga13120151
Total7411517912
FC 08 Villingen2023–24Oberliga12230152
Career total454763993031052488

Honours

SC Freiburg

VfL Wolfsburg

External links