30/10/2006
Luca Toni
1.94 m, 88 kg
26 May 1977- Pavullo nel Frignano, Italy
Clubs
Modena (1994-96), Empoli (1996-97), Fiorenzuola (1997-98), Lodigiani (1998-99), Treviso, (1999-2000), Vicenza (2000-01), Brescia (2001-03), Palermo (2003-05), Fiorentina (2005- )
Season 2005-2006
Serie A: 38 matches, 31 goals
2006 World Cup: 6 matches, 2 goals
Luca Toni became internationally known during his last season with Fiorentina for his tremendous killer instinct. He is regularly called ToniGol in Florence. Toni is the typical example of a late developer. He began his career in 1994 at Modena in Serie C. After a disappointing season with Fiorenzuola in 1998 Toni seriously considered leaving football for good to become a lorry driver. However, he received an offer from Lodigiani and since then his career has gained momentum. In 2003 Toni left for Palermo where he became champion in Serie B in his first season. The following year with 21 goals Toni earned a transfer to Fiorentina.
Toni had a dream season with Fiorentina in 2005 and 2006. In his first year with the club he scored 31 goals which made him not only top scorer of Italy, but also of Europe. He received the Golden Boot for this. Partly due to Luca Toni's 31 goals (since 1959 nobody had scored more than 30 goals in one season in Serie A) Fiorentina thought that they had gained a place in the preliminary round of the Champions League, but due to the fraud problems in Serie A Fiorentina had 30 points deducted and therefore it will not be possible to admire Toni in a European competition in the 2006/2007 season.
Luca Toni not only had a fantastic season with Fiorentina, he also won the world title with the Italian national team. Apart from the group match against the Czech Republic Toni played in all of Italy's matches and he scored twice in the quarter-final against Ukraine.