# Dario Šits

Dario Šits (born 4 February 2004) is a Latvian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Eerste Divisie club Helmond Sport, on loan from Parma, and the Latvia national team.

## Club career

Born in Kuldīga, Šits started playing football at FK Metta, before joining Italian side Parma in 2020. Following his performances for the Under-17 and Primavera teams, the forward earned his first call-ups to the club's first team during the 2021–22 season, under head coach Giuseppe Iachini.
On 2 March 2022, Šits made his professional debut for Parma, starting in a 1–1 Serie B draw against AC Monza. On 11 March, shortly after coming on as a substitute in a league match against Cittadella, the forward earned a penalty kick for his side, which was then missed by Juan Brunetta: the fixture ended in a 1–1 draw.
On 6 October of the same year, Šits extended his contract with Parma until 2026.
On 24 August 2023, Šits joined Serie C club SPAL on a season-long loan, with an option to buy in favor of the club and a buy-back clause in favor of Parma. He made his debut for the club on 2 September, starting in a 1–0 league win over Vis Pesaro: however, he suffered an ACL injury in the same game, thus being forced to enter long-term convalescence.
On 18 July 2024, Šits joined Dutch Eerste Divisie club Helmond Sport on a season-long loan deal, with an option to buy. He made his debut in the opening fixture of the season, starting in a 1–1 home draw against Jong Utrecht.

## International career

Šits has represented Latvia at various youth international levels, having played for the under-17, under-19 and under-21 national teams.
In October 2024, Dario Šits received his first call-up to the Latvia national football team for the matches against the Faroe Islands and North Macedonia.
On 10 October Dario Šits made his debut for the Latvia national football team in a UEFA Nations League match against North Macedonia, coming on as a substitute in the 17th minute to replace the injured Vladislavs Gutkovskis. This debut came immediately after Paolo Nicolato's first call-up.
In just his second match for the Latvia national team, Dario Šits scored his first goal for the team. Coming on as a substitute in the 66th minute, replacing Jānis Ikaunieks, by the 69th minute, after a fantastic cross from Andrejs Cigaņiks, Dario Šits scored with his first touch.

## Style of play

Šits is a centre-forward, who has been praised mainly for his technical and physical abilities, as well as his speed, his work rate and his finishing. Mainly a right-footed player, he is also capable of using his left foot.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 2 September 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Coppa Italia | Coppa Italia | Europe | Europe | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Parma | 2021–22 | Serie B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 |
| Parma | 2022–23 | Serie B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 |
| Total | Total | Total | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| SPAL (loan) | 2023–24 | Serie C | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |