Clayton (footballer, born 1975)

Clayton Ferreira Cruz (born 19 July 1975), known simply as Clayton, is a Brazilian former professional footballer. A forward or winger, he operated preferably on the left.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Ferreira and the second or paternal family name is Cruz.
Clayton
Personal information
Full name Clayton Ferreira Cruz
Date of birth (1975-07-19) 19 July 1975
Place of birth São João do Paraíso, Brazil
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1998 Atlético Mineiro 52 (4)
1997 → Guarani (loan) 4 (0)
1998–1999 América-RJ 0 (0)
1999 Santa Clara 12 (8)
1999–2003 Porto 74 (11)
2003–2005 Sporting CP 8 (0)
2004–2005 → Penafiel (loan) 29 (5)
2005 Vitória Guimarães 6 (0)
2006 Sport Recife 2 (0)
2006–2007 Penafiel 21 (3)
2007–2008 Alki Larnaca 21 (9)
2008 Omonia 9 (1)
2009–2010 AEL Limassol 36 (9)
2011–2012 Serrano-BA 13 (1)
Total 287 (51)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

His 16-year professional career was spent, other than in his country, in Portugal – five teams represented, mainly Porto with which he won five major titles, including one Primeira Liga championship and one UEFA Cup – and Cyprus (three clubs).

Football career

Clayton was born in São João do Paraíso, Minas Gerais. After a solid career in native Brazil, mainly with Clube Atlético Mineiro, he moved to Portugal in 1999, joining Azores' C.D. Santa Clara.

In December 1999, Clayton signed for fellow Primeira Liga club FC Porto, and went on to become an important attacking element.[1] On 25 May of the following year, in the replay match of the final of the Taça de Portugal, he was directly involved in both of his team's goals in a 2–0 win over Sporting CP.[2]

On 17 October 2001, in the season's UEFA Champions League, Clayton scored a brace against Celtic in a 3–0 home triumph.[3] He was also a part of the UEFA Cup-winning side in 2002–03, although he did not play in the final against the same opponent.

For 2003–04, Clayton moved to Sporting.[4] After appearing scarcely throughout the campaign he was loaned to lowly F.C. Penafiel,[5] representing Vitória S.C. subsequently.[6]

After another Brazil spell with Sport Club do Recife, and another season at Penafiel (now in the Portuguese second level), Clayton moved to Cyprus. Starting 2007–08 with Alki Larnaca FC, he joined AC Omonia in the following January transfer window.

In January 2009, Clayton moved teams in the same country, signing with AEL Limassol. He returned to Brazil aged 35, playing the remainder of his career in amateur football.[7]

Honours

Porto

AEL

References
  1. "Clayton tardou a retribuir a confiança de Mourinho" [Clayton took some time to repay Mourinho's confidence]. Record (in Portuguese). 9 April 2002. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  2. "FC Porto: Com Deco foi "outra loiça"" [FC Porto: «Different dishware» with Deco]. Record (in Portuguese). 26 May 2000. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  3. "Champions League: Celtic caught in Porto storm". The Daily Telegraph. 17 October 2001. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  4. "Surprise swap between rivals". UEFA. 14 July 2003. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  5. ""Duelo com Miguel vai dar-me grande gozo"" ["I will have a ball battling it out with Miguel"]. Público (in Portuguese). 7 May 2005. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  6. "Clayton going to Guimarães". UEFA. 19 July 2005. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  7. "Clayton decide voltar a jogar e assina com o Serrano" [Clayton decides to play again and signs with Serrano] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 13 January 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  8. "Bragança-FC Porto, 1–2: Uma exibição mínima mas lá deu para a vitória" [Bragança-FC Porto, 1–2: Minimal display but good enough for the win]. Record (in Portuguese). 12 February 2001. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
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