Former Italy national team defender Cristian Zaccardo joined Hamrun Spartans.

A product of Bologna, Zaccardo was promoted to the first team in 2000, but was sent on loan to Spezia for the 2000/01 season. He made his debut for Bologna the following season under the direction of coach Francesco Guidolin and immediately became a regular choice for the rossoblu and the Italy Under-21 national team. He left Bologna in 2004 to join his former coach Guidolin in Palermo. With the rosanero, je spent four years, appearing in 142 league matches and scoring eight goals.

In summer 2008, he was transferred to Wolfsburg in Germany, helping the club to its first ever Bundesliga title but the following summer, he rejoined Guidolin at Parma. In his three-and-a-half seasons with the side, Zaccardo appeared in 118 league matches and scored ten goals.

Zaccardo moved to Milan in the January 2013 transfer window and at the expiry of his contract, he moved to newly-promoted Serie A side Carpi on a free transfer in summer 2015. He made 27 appearances for the club during the 2015–16 Serie A season, scoring one goal. Last season, he was loaned to Serie B side Vicenza Calcio. His contract was terminated at the end of the season.

Throughout his career, he played for the Italy Under-16, Under-18, Under-20, Under-21 and senior national teams, winning the World Cup in Germany in 2006 after winning the UEFA Under-21 Championship in 2004.