Daniel "Dani" Cancela Rodríguez (; born 23 September 1981) is a former professional footballer who played as a left-back.
Born in Spain, he spent most of his career with Kitchee in Hong Kong after signing in 2010, eventually going on to represent the Hong Kong national team.
Club career Spain Born in A Coruña, Galicia, Cancela played several years for Deportivo de La Coruña, but only appeared officially for the reserves where he spent five seasons, four in the Tercera División. He was also loaned to amateurs Malpica SDC during his contract.Entrevista Dani Cancela: "En Hong Kong me he encontrado gente con camisetas de Valerón y Riki" (Dani Cancela interview: "I have found folks in Hong Kong with Valerón and Riki shirts"); Vavel, 27 November 2013 (in Spanish)
After leaving the Estadio Riazor in 2006, Cancela moved to the Segunda División B, competing two seasons apiece with CF Fuenlabrada and CD Lugo.Losada y Cancela, dos gallegos en el Barcelona chino (Losada y Cancela, two Galicians in Chinese Barcelona); La Voz de Galicia, 12 August 2010 (in Spanish)
Hong Kong Cancela signed for Kitchee SC in Hong Kong on 26 July 2010, alongside compatriots Fernando Recio and Jordi Tarrés. On 28 January of the following year, he renewed his contract for another two years.Dani Cancela renueva por dos temporadas con el Kitchee de Hong Kong (Dani Cancela renews for two seasons with Kitchee from Hong Kong); La Voz de Galicia, 28 January 2011 (in Spanish)
On 19 August 2022, after a match against BG Pathum United F.C. in the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League, Cancela announced his retirement at the age of 40. He made 250 competitive appearances during his spell at the Mong Kok Stadium, winning several honours including eight Premier Leagues.
International career Cancela received his Hong Kong passport in October 2017, at the age of 36. He made his debut for the national team on 5 October, in a 4–0 friendly win over Laos.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition ClubSeasonLeagueCupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFuenlabrada2006–07 Segunda División B29010003002007–08 3100000310Total6001000610Lugo2008–09 Segunda División B16010001702009–10 2210000221Total3811000391Kitchee 2010–11 Hong Kong First Division League15030001802011–12 15050702702012–13 10050001502013–14 19340002332014–15 Hong Kong Premier League11080001902015–16 12071001912016–17 19170002612017–18 80100402202018–19 17080713212019–20 10030001302020–21 16060502702021–22 30501090Total15547112412506Career total25357312413507
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsHong Kong201740201860201950Total150
Honours Kitchee Hong Kong Premier League: 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21 Hong Kong First Division: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14 Hong Kong Senior Shield: 2016–17, 2018–19 Hong Kong FA Cup: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19 Hong Kong Sapling Cup: 2017–18, 2019–20 Hong Kong League Cup: 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16
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