Cleiton Xavier

Cleiton Ribeiro Xavier (Ukrainian: Клейтон Шав'єр; born 23 March 1983) is a Brazilian former professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder. He is known by his powerful and accurate free kicks, dribbling skills and passes.

Cleiton Xavier
Personal information
Full name Cleiton Ribeiro Xavier
Date of birth (1983-03-23) 23 March 1983
Place of birth São José da Tapera, Brazil
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
CSA
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2002 CSA 8 (2)
2002–2008 Internacional 68 (5)
2005Sport Recife (loan) 4 (0)
2005Brasiliense (loan) 5 (1)
2006Gama (loan) 6 (0)
2006Marília (loan) 2 (0)
2007–2008Figueirense (loan) 61 (12)
2009–2010 Palmeiras 90 (16)
2010–2015 Metalist Kharkiv 147 (59)
2015–2016 Palmeiras 62 (5)
2017–2018 Vitória 42 (7)
International career
2003 Brazil U20 5 (0)
2009 Brazil 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 January 2017

Club career

In his early career, Cleiton Xavier played for CSA and Internacional, and was loaned out various times.

Palmeiras

In early 2009, Palmeiras signed Cleiton from the relegated Figueirense. Cleiton Xavier proved he had good talent in Palmeiras's first matches in the Libertadores Cup and in the São Paulo State Championship. On 29 April 2009 Cleiton Xavier scored an 87th minute away-goal against Colo-Colo in the Libertadores Cup that secured Palmeiras' progression to the knockout stages of the tournament, it was a very long-range shot inside the goalkeeper's left angle.[1]

Later in the Série A alongside teammate Diego Souza, Cleiton Xavier made an outstanding season with Palmeiras, leading the competition for 19 rounds, however Palmeiras finished 5th due to losses in the final matches and did not qualify for the Libertadores Cup. Cleiton Xavier was elected the 3rd best player of the season, even though he had an injury. In 2010, Cleiton Xavier remained with Palmeiras and also started well the year. He participated in Palmeiras's first ten goals in the São Paulo State Championship.

Metalist Kharkiv

On 14 July 2010, Cleiton Xavier transferred to FC Metalist Kharkiv for €4.5 million.[2] In 2013, he became popular for scoring a fastest equalizing goal from the starting line after the restart of the match against local league rival, Chornomorets. He then inspired them to a 3 – 1 victory which boosted their chances to qualify for next season Champions League campaign in which the victory lift them above another local rival who competing for the same spot, Dynamo Kyiv.[3]

Club statistics

As of 28 January 2017
Club Season League Cup Continental State League Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Internacional 2002 2030000203
2003 2510000251
2004 2310000231
Total 685000000685
Brasiliense 2005 10000010
Total 1000000010
Figueirense 2007 2800000280
2008 331200003312
Total 61120000006112
Palmeiras 2009 323123173619
2010 714100165277
Total 394411233388816
Metalist Kharkiv 2010–11 26693359
2011–12 25101223712
2012–13 2915953820
2013–14 2071000217
2014–15 9822511611
Total 1094632351114759
Palmeiras 2015 1003140171
Total 100310040171
Vitória 2017 00000000
Total 0000000000
Career Total 2675372421337835376

Honours

Internacional
Figueirense
Palmeiras
Vitória

References

  1. Golazo – Cleiton Xavier vs Colo=Colo
  2. Cleiton Xavier é negociado com time da Ucrânia. (in Portuguese). Palmeiras official site. 14 July 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2010 .
  3. "Striker lobs keeper straight from kick-off - video". 25 April 2013.
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