Where Are They Now: Andrea Dossena

In this series at Everything Orient, we take a look back at ex-Orient players and see where their careers have taken them since their departure from Brisbane Road.

This image was published by the East London Advertiser

Player Profile

Andrea Dossena is an Italian full-back who has played for ten professional sides throughout his career whilst also featuring for his nations international side. Furthermore, the defender predominantly played his football in his home nation but did make a few appearances on English shores - and even got into a spot of trouble with the Police while doing so.

Where Have They Been?

The ex-Orient defender started his career at Verona, an Italian side who currently play in Serie A. Dossena graduated from their youth academy in 2001 and went onto make 99 appearances before departing in 2005, after spending ten years with the club when taking his youth career into account.

A short stint with Treviso followed before moving onto Italian giants, Udinese. The Italian defender enjoyed great success with Udinese as he managed to make over 60 appearances for the club, whilst also securing a big money contract which the Italian club hoped would keep him with Udinese and in Italy.

However, this wasn't to be.

In the summer of 2008, Liverpool swooped in for Dossena as he was acquired from Udinese for around £7 million. The Italian was brought in to act as a direct replacement for John Arne Risse, as the Norwegian headed to Italy to join AS Roma.

Ultimately, Dossena failed to deliver in his first stint on English shores. Making just 18 appearances in a Liverpool shirt, the Italian went on record to say that he was having difficulties adjusting to the pace of English football. Therefore, a return to Italy beckoned for Dossena.

Italian football seemed to suit Dossena much better as he joined Napoli in 2010 and went onto make over 80 appearances for the club. Furthermore, he went onto win his first and only trophy of his career, the Coppa Italia in 2011.

However, former Liverpool manager and ex-boss, Rafa Benitez, arrived in Naples in 2013 and Dossena was told that he could look for a new club. Next stop, Sunderland.

As expected, the Italian struggled again as he experienced a rather underwhelming season. Despite picking up a runners up medal for the League Cup, Dossena was released at the end of the season.

Dossena's next adventure seemed to be quite a peculiar one, as he dropped down two divisions to join the one and only, Leyton Orient. However, the only note worthy part of his stay in east London was where a woman and Dossena himself were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting in Harrods. The Italian was then released after his one and only season with the O's.