Rodrigo Defendi
| File:Rodders at roma.jpg | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rodrigo Defendi | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Roma (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur) | ||
| Number | 19 | ||
Rodrigo Defendi (born June 16, 1986 in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil), is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a central defender for A.S. Roma, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
A talented, young centre-half signed from the Brazilian club Cruzeiro, who produced Ronaldo. First spotted as a 16-year-old by Frank Arnesen, the appropriately named Defendi is renowned for a deft left foot and a dominance in the air. He looks set to play a big part in Tottenham's future under the guidance of Martin Jol.
He became the first player signed under the Frank Arnesen and Jacques Santini era from Cruzeiro for a fee of £600,000 on July 3 2004 although he had to wait for his passport to arrive in August for the deal to be officially completed. He has yet to make his first team debut for the club but has featured in a number of reserve team matches.
He was on loan to Udinese Calcio in January 2006 and A.S. Roma in August 2006.
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