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Kerlon

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Kerlon
Kerlon executing the Seal dribble
Personal information
Full name Kerlon Moura Souza
Date of birth (1988-01-27) 27 January 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Ipatinga, Brazil
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
2001–2005 Cruzeiro
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2008 Cruzeiro 16 (0)
2008–2012 Inter Milan 0 (0)
2008–2009 → Chievo (loan) 4 (0)
2009–2010 → Ajax (loan) 0 (0)
2011 → Paraná (loan) 4 (0)
2011–2012 → Nacional-NS (loan) 1 (0)
2012–2014 Fujieda MYFC 22 (9)
2015 Miami Dade FC 5 (3)
2015 Sliema Wanderers 8 (2)
2016 Villa Nova 3 (0)
2016–2017 Spartak Trnava 4 (0)
2017 Spartak Trnava II 1 (0)
International career
2004–2005 Brazil U17 7 (8)
2006 Brazil U20 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kerlon Moura Souza (born 27 January 1988) is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.[1][2] After retiring, he worked as a coach at Olé Soccer in the United States.[3]

Kerlon first gained prominence after his performances at the U-17 World Cup in 2005, where he scored eight goals in seven games and helped Brazil win the title.

While playing with Cruzeiro, he gained more notoriety due to his seal dribble technique, and after a good 2007 season with Cruzeiro, he was billed as "the next Ronaldinho" and caught the attention of top European clubs like Inter Milan, who signed him in 2008.

However, a pair of knee injuries ultimately derailed his career, only make sporadic appearances until his retirement in 2017, and never fulfilled his true potential.[4][5]

Club career

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Early years in Brazil

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Kerlon made his professional debut for Cruzeiro in May 2005 for a Copa do Brasil match against Baraúnas.

Kerlon scored his first professional goal on 25 February 2007 in Cruzeiro's 4–1 victory over Ituiutaba in the Campeonato Mineiro.[6]

While at Cruzeiro, Kerlon became well known for his trademark skill, named the "drible da foquinha" or seal dribble, where the ball is bounced continuously on the forehead while running.[4][5] Opposing players often foul the performer of a seal dribble, such as in September 2007, where Atletico Mineiro player Dyego Coelho struck Kerlon with his elbow and was suspended for five matches.[7]

European football

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Kerlon was signed by Chievo in 2008. Like the deal that Inter bought Júlio César and Victor Obinna, Inter borrowed the non-EU registration quota from Chievo instead of using its own quota. Lega Calcio documented Chievo signed Kerlon but he would leave for Inter at a later time.[8] Cruzeiro also announced that the club and third-party owner EMS Sigma Pharma sold 80% rights to Kerlon's agent Mino Raiola for €1.3 million. EMS and Cruzeiro retained the remaining 20% rights.[9]

He made his début for Chievo on 29 October, against Lazio as a substitute; one of only four appearances that season largely due to a knee injury sustained in March 2007.[10] In July 2009, Kerlon officially signed a deal with Inter until June 2012.[11]

Kerlon continued to suffer from knee injuries during his time at Inter which some journalists cite as the reason for his minor impact in the Serie A.[12]

On 31 August 2009, Kerlon was loaned to Ajax with an option to purchase; Inter also subsidised Ajax in order to finalize the loan.[13] However Ajax only offered him a place in Jong Ajax – the reserve team instead of the first, as announced on his presentation day.[13] He returned to Inter for the start of the 2010–11 season, but was injured again during the pre-season and suffered a long-term absence from football.[14]

Back to Brazil

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On 26 January 2011, Kerlon was announced as a new player of Paraná Clube on loan and the club borrowed him until 8 August 2011.[15] He played three times in 2011 Campeonato Paranaense.

On 21 July 2011, he completed a one-year loan move to Nacional de Nova Serrana.[16][17] Nacional participated in 2011 Minas Gerais Cup and 2012 Minas Gerais League. Kerlon only played once in the state league.

Japan

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In August 2012 he joined Japan Football League side Fujieda MYFC on free transfer.[18] On 16 September 2012, Kerlon made his league debut against Zweigen Kanazawa, coming on as 59th-minute substitute. He scored his first goal for the club in his next match, scoring in the 77th minute in a 3–0 win over Sony Sendai. In his first season in Japan he scored three goals and provided seven assists in eight games. In his second season at the club, Kerlon played 14 matches and scored 6 goals[19] before his knee troubles affected him once more. He was forced to return to Brazil for knee surgery, keeping him out of action until February 2014.[20] On 20 January 2014, he left the club.[21][22]

United States

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In September 2014, he trained and played a few games with Atlanta Silverbacks but quickly ruled out the transfer possibility by saying "I always had the dream and the intention to play in the United States, whether it's in MLS or the NASL, I really like the country, I really want to be here, because I am closer to Brazil, and this opportunity came to me. I am very happy to be here."[23]

On 17 March 2015, Kerlon signed with Miami Dade FC.[24]

Malta

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In September 2015, Kerlon arrived on the island of Malta for a trial with Birkirkara but instead signed for Sliema Wanderers on a free transfer.[25] On 19 September, he scored his first goal for the club, scoring the winner in the 2–1 win over Mosta.[26]

Slovakia

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After a spell back in Brazil with Villa Nova where he made three appearances in the Campeonato Mineiro,[27] Kerlon signed for Slovak Super Liga side FC Spartak Trnava on a one-and-a-half-year contract.[28] However, he made only four appearances before his contract was terminated at the end of the season.

Retirement

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On 20 October 2017, after spending three months without a club, Kerlon publicly announced his retirement from football.

International career

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Kerlon was the top scorer and named Best Player at the 2005 South American Under 17 Football Championship, scoring eight goals in seven matches and helping Brazil win the tournament.

Honours

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Cruzeiro

Brazil U17

Individual

  • South American U-17 Football Championship top scorer: 2005
  • South American U-17 Football Championship Best Player: 2005

References

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  1. ^ "Kerlon Foquinha assina com Villa Nova-MG para a disputa do Mineiro". globo.com. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  2. ^ "Kerlon by na jar rád strelil šesť gólov: Spartak je pre mňa úžasný klub — ProFutbal.sk". profutbal.sk. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  3. ^ We vroegen 'zeehond' Kerlon waarom hij opeens stopte met voetballen vice.com
  4. ^ a b Carmichael, Charlie (4 October 2018). "Kerlon and the demise of a great that never was". These Football Times. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  5. ^ a b Alves, Marcus (8 May 2019). "What happened to Kerlon? The forgotten seal dribbler who entertained the world". fourfourtwo.com. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Kerlon marca primeiro gol e almeja titularidade". Cruzeiro.org. 22 October 2007. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  7. ^ "A Seal clubbing in Brazilian Football". The Offside. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008.
  8. ^ "Chievo: Foquinha Sala all' Udinese" (require login). La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 24 August 2008. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  9. ^ "Meia Kerlon e atacante Jonathas são negociados com o futebol europeu". Cruzeiro EC (in Portuguese). 29 August 2008. Archived from the original on 1 June 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  10. ^ "Chievo Sign seal dribbler". www.channel4.com. Archived from the original on 3 September 2008.
  11. ^ "Mercato: Kerlon e l'Inter fino al 2012" (in Italian). inter.it. 7 July 2009. Archived from the original on 1 August 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  12. ^ The prestige of the Club World Cup 15 December 2008. Retrieved on 27 July 2009. Contemporary Federal Arts Policy Archived 30 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine 3 April 2007. Retrieved on 17 September 2009.
  13. ^ a b "Kerlon loaned out to Ajax". AFC Ajax. 1 September 2009. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  14. ^ "Inter, nuovo stop per Kerlon: caviglia fuori gioco" (in Italian). CalcioNews24. 14 July 2010.
  15. ^ "Tricolor anuncia atacante Kerlon" [Tricolor announces attacker Kerlon] (in Portuguese). Paraná Clube. 26 January 2011. Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
  16. ^ "Meia-atacante Kerlon é o mais novo contratado do Nacional" [Attacking midfielder Kerlon is the latest signing of Nacional]. Nacional EC (Nova Serrana) (in Portuguese). 21 July 2011. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  17. ^ "77 atletas publicados em 05/08/2011". bid.cbf.com.br. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  18. ^ "新加入記者会見開催のご報告 - 藤枝MYFC". myfc.co.jp. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  19. ^ "Fujieda MYFC 2013 season numbers". wordpress.com. 29 November 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  20. ^ "JFL preview: Fujieda MYFC v Fukushima United". wordpress.com. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  21. ^ "Four more players leave Fujieda including Kerlon". wordpress.com. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  22. ^ "契約満了選手のお知らせ - 藤枝MYFC". myfc.co.jp. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  23. ^ "BRAZILIAN KERLON "THE SEAL" IS TRAINING WITH THE SILVERBACKS". atlantasilverbacks.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015.
  24. ^ "Kerlon 'Foquinha' assina com o Miami Dade FC e é mais um brasileiro que jogará nos EUA". globo.com. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  25. ^ http://www.tvm.com.mt/mt/sports/football-lokali-sliema-w-jipprezentaw-l-ahhar-akkwist-taghhom-il-braziljan-kerlon/ Futbol lokali: Sliema W. jippreżentaw l-aħħar akkwist tagħhom, il-Brażiljan Kerlon
  26. ^ "MOSTA VS. SLIEMA WANDERERS 1 - 2". Soccerway. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  27. ^ "Kerlon Soccerway profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  28. ^ "SPARTAK PODPÍSAL ZMLUVU S BRAZÍLČANOM KERLONOM" [SPARTAK SIGN CONTRACT WITH BRAZILIAN KERLON] (in Slovak). FC Spartak Trnava. 11 December 2016. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.

Further reading

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