Profile

A tall, imposing centre-forward, Luca Toni travels to Switzerland and Austria full of confidence after a brilliant, free-scoring debut season for FC Bayern München. A FIFA World Cup winner in 2006, he is now firmly established as Italy's No1 striker.

A late bloomer, he spent six years in Italy's lower leagues until his Serie A debut with Vicenza Calcio in 2000/01.

Scored 13 Serie A goals for Brescia Calcio (playing alongside Roberto Baggio) in 2001/02.

Returned to Serie B with US Città di Palermo and spearheaded the Sicilians to promotion with 30 goals; another 20 followed in Serie A.

Scored on first competitive appearance for Italy (in Palermo), a late goal securing a 2-1 victory over Norway.

Won ESM Golden Shoe with 31 league goals in first season for ACF Fiorentina (2005/06) – highest Serie A total for 47 years.

Italy's joint-top scorer with two goals (both v Ukraine in quarter-final) at 2006 World Cup.

Joined Bayern on four-year contract in 2007 – formidable goal output (24 in 31 league games) and double of Bundesliga and German Cup, his first major club honours.

Scored five goals (three against Scotland) in six UEFA EURO 2008 qualifiers.

Did you know?

Toni has played for ten clubs, never remaining at any of them for more than two seasons.