The Reds added some much-needed teeth to their attack with Danny's arrival. In the twenty-fourth minute of his second match for the club, he threw himself at a cross from the right and slotted home Toronto FC's first-ever goal. BMO Field rocked to its foundation, and the supporters had their first tradition: the Dichio24 song at that exact moment of every match.
Danny finished Toronto FC's inaugural season as the club's top scorer with six goals. His excellent run of form continued into 2008, netting 5 goals and maintaining his position as the club's most prolific striker.
With an eye on a hat trick of Premier League promotions, Danny signed with historic Preston for the 2005 season. The club had reached the playoff final the previous year, but had missed out on its first-ever season in the Premiership to West Ham.
Danny failed to score a league goal in his first season with Preston, but delivered solid performances as the squad's target man. He helped Preston to a top-four finish, but the club again missed out on promotion after a semifinal loss to Leeds.
Manager Billy Davies, mastermind of the club's recent success, left in the off season. Davies' departure sent the club into freefall, and after a season of mixed fortunes for Danny, the striker packed his boots and crossed the Pond.
Danny moved back down to London on loan to Millwall in 2004. Assistant coach Ray Wilkins and head coach Dennis Wise, Danny's friends and mentors, had convinced the striker that the notorious New Den was the right place for him. Danny's five goals in five appearances for the Lions proved his coaches were right. The club immediately signed Danny to a permanent contract.
Life as a Lion suited Danny, and Millwall roared to the FA Cup Final against Manchester United. But a harsh sending-off in a previous league match meant suspension for the cup final and heartbreak for Danny.
After two years and the departures of Wilkins and Wise, word reached Danny that the club's debts were ballooning. To balance the books, Millwall planned to sell their biggest names. Danny agreed to a move up north to Preston.
West Brom sent Danny on a brief loan spell to fellow First Division side Derby County in 2003. He netted a single goal for the Rams in six appearances.
Danny impressed during a loan spell at West Brom and landed a permanent deal in 2001. Shattering modest expectations, the First Division Baggies won promotion thanks to gritty, workmanlike performances and solid team play.
But heart wasn't enough to keep West Brom in the Premier League. Danny ranked as the club's top scorer that season, but the side succumbed to relegation after just one year in the top flight.
It's no secret that Sunderland supporters are some of the loudest in England - the Stadium of Light quakes on match day with seismic force. The atmosphere fit Danny like a glove, and in his first year, he helped lead the First Division side to a promotion playoff against Charlton at Wembley. The Black Cats lost on penalties, but the next season was a different story.
Sunderland stormed to the top of the table and won promotion to the Premiership with a record points tally. With players' manager Peter Reid at the helm, Danny and Sunderland cruised to 7th- and 8th-place finishes in the side's first two years back in the top flight.
At Lecce, Danny made his Serie A debut against Napoli - one week later, and he was on the scoresheet in a match against Brescia. He dedicated his first goal to his dad back in England, watching the game on satellite TV.
Despite his impressive early form, Danny found it tough to break into the starting eleven. To keep his career moving in the right direction, he looked elsewhere. The shores of northeast England beckoned, and Danny heeded the call.
At just 22, Danny signed for Serie A giants Sampdoria on the first Bosman transfer to go through. He joined a wealth of international talent, playing and training alongside the likes of Juan Sebastian Veron, Vincenzo Montella, Jurgen Klinsmann and Christian Karembeu.
It was here that Danny had his first taste of international club soccer, making his debut against Athletic Bilbao in the UEFA Cup. But he found minutes with the first team few and far between, so he agreed to a loan spell with another Serie A club.
Every pro remembers breaking his duck for the first time. For Danny, it was at Barnet. During a two-month loan spell from QPR, the striker notched his first league goals. But more importantly, he learned the ropes of match-day preparation - vital for any young talent.
Every kid dreams of playing for his boyhood club - for Danny, it was a reality. He signed with QPR at nine, seven years after his first trip to Loftus Road with his dad. At eighteen, he earned his first-team debut in a cup clash with Manchester City. How does a young striker top that? He scores in his Premier League debut against Villa - just days later.
After three successful years, new Hoops' management made moves to auction off Dichio's talents. Danny opted for a move to Italy's Serie A, fulfilling his dad's dreams.
