Fernandinho (footballer, born April 1981)

Fernando Alves Santa Clara or simply Fernandinho (born April 16, 1981 in Ilhéus), is a former Brazilian left-back.

This article is about the Brazilian footballer born April 1981. For other uses, see Fernandinho.
Fernandinho
Personal information
Full name Fernando Alves Santa Clara
Date of birth (1981-04-16) April 16, 1981
Place of birth Ilhéus, Brazil
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Left-back
Youth career
1997 Catuense
1998 Vitória
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2002 Vitória 10 (0)
2002 → FC Porto (Loan) 10 (0)
2002 Joinville (?)
2003 → Caxias (Loan) ? (?)
2003 Paraná 41 (7)
2004–2005 Criciúma 14 (5)
2005 → Vasco da Gama (Loan) 18 (3)
2006–2007 Criciúma 6 (1)
2007–2010 Cruzeiro 47 (5)
2010 Atlético Mineiro 8 (0)
2011 Joinville 12 (1)
2011 Vitória 31 (2)
2012 Paraná 32 (5)
2013 São Caetano 17 (1)
2014 Fortaleza 30 (0)
2015-2016 Ceará 29 (2)
2016-2017 Joinville 32 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Fernando Alves Santa Clara (Fernandinho) began his professional career with Vitória in 1999. After impressing with the Brazilian side, he drew the interest of top Portuguese side FC Porto and joined them on loan in 2002. Following a brief stay in Portugal in which Fernandinho played for the FC Porto reserves he returned to Brazil joining Campeonato Brasileiro Série C side Joinville and in 2003 played for Caxias. He then moved up joining Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Club Paraná and started demonstrating his offensive prowess, scoring 7 goals in 41 matches. In 2004, he joined Criciúma which was playing in Série A and appeared in 14 matches scoring 5 goals playing primarily as a left-sided midfielder. After being relegated with Criciúma Fernandinho was loaned to top side Vasco da Gama and appeared in 18 league matches scoring 3 goals. He then returned to Criciúma now playing in Campeonato Brasileiro Série C in 2006. Upon joining Criciúma he began playing exclusively at left-back and was a key offensive player for the side, scoring 12 goals in all competitions. In 2007 for Criciúma he added another 10 goals in the Campeonato Catarinense and was selected as the top left-back and top overall player of the Campeonato being noted for his powerful shot and attacking ability.[1] This led to renewed interest from top Brazilian clubs and during the 2007 season Fernandinho's contract was purchased by top Brazilian side Cruzeiro. With Cruzeiro, Fernandinho quickly established himself as the club's starting left-back and helped them capture the 2008 and 2009 Minas Gerais State League. He suffered an ACL injury in 2009 which kept him out of action for most of the 2009 season, however upon returning he has drawn interest from top European clubs AC Milan and Fenerbache, which considered him a possible replacement for the departed Roberto Carlos.[2] [3] In June 2010, Fernandinho was announced as Atlético Mineiro's new player. He signed the club after being released from Cruzeiro.

He joined Vitória, where he began his professional career, for a second spell on 23 May 2011.[4]

Honours
Vitória
Criciúma
Cruzeiro

References
  1. (in Portuguese) Play with Criciúma
  2. (in Portuguese) Injury with Cruzeiro
  3. (in Italian) European interest
  4. (in Portuguese) Return to Vitória
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