Kerlon
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kerlon Moura Souza | ||
| Height | 1.66 m (5 ft 5+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking Midfielder / Winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Ajax (on loan from Internazionale) | ||
| Number | 32 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001–2005 | Cruzeiro | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2008 | Cruzeiro | 42 | (9) |
| 2008–2009 | Chievo | 4 | (0) |
| 2009– | Internazionale | 0 | (0) |
| 2009–2010 | → Ajax (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2004–2005 | Brazil U-17 | 14 | (10) |
| 2006– | Brazil U-20 | 21 | (11) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:23, 10 November 2009 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:23, 10 February 2007 (UTC) | |||
Kerlon Moura Souza (born January 27, 1989 in Ipatinga, Minas Gerais) is a Brazilian footballer, best known for his seal dribble, who currently plays for Dutch club Ajax.
Club career
Kerlon is an attacking midfielder known for his mastery of the seal dribble, which is very hard for opponents to play against. In September 2007, opposing player Dyego Rocha Coelho was frustrated by Kerlons skill and challenged Kerlon illegally with an elbow as he performed the move, which instigated a brawl and resulted in a five-match suspension for Coelho.[1]
Kerlon scored his first professional goal on February 25, 2007 in Cruzeiro's 4–1 victory over Ituiutaba.[2]
Like fellow Brazilian Julio Cesar, Kerlon was initially signed to Chievo in Summer 2008. However, he was later put on loan to Italian football giant Inter Milan, who had been interested in signing him previously, but could not due to Serie A's regulation of the number of non-EU-registrated players a club can sign. He made his debut for Chievo on 29 October against S.S. Lazio as a substitute, which was one of only four appearances he made for the season, chiefly due to injury stemming from a knee injury in March 2007.[3] In July 2009, Kerlon officially signed a deal with Inter until June 2013.[4]
Contrary to the expectations of many, Kerlon has failed to make an impression. According to BBC Sport journalist Tim Vickery, Kerlon's inexperience and injuries have impeded his ability to make a strong showing at the bigger football clubs.[5] On 31 August, AFC Ajax signed the Brazilian forward from Inter on loan with an option to buy him.
International career
Kerlon was the top scorer and named Best Player at the 2005 South American Under 17 Football Championship.
Honours
Cruzeiro
- Campeonato Mineiro: 2006
International
Individual
- South American U-17 Football Championship Top Scorer: 2005
- South American U-17 Football Championship Best Player: 2005
References
- ^ A Seal Clubbing in Brazilian Football – The Offside
- ^ "Kerlon marca primeiro gol e almeja titularidade", Cruzeiro.org February 25, 2007. Retrieved on February 25, 2007. (Portuguese)
- ^ Football Italia
- ^ "Mercato: Kerlon e l'Inter fino al 2013" (in Italian). inter.it. 2009-07-07. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- ^ The prestige of the Club World Cup December 15, 2008. Retrieved on July 27, 2009. Contemporary Federal Arts Policy April 3, 2007. Retrieved on September 17, 2009.