Edu Dracena
Dracena with Palmeiras in 2016
Personal information
Full name Eduardo Luís Abonízio de Souza[1]
Date of birth (1981-05-18) 18 May 1981[1]
Place of birth Dracena, Brazil
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Youth career
Guarani
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2003 Guarani 90 (3)
2002–2003 → Olympiacos (loan) 5 (0)
2003–2006 Cruzeiro 131 (9)
2006–2009 Fenerbahçe 72 (5)
2009–2015 Santos 178 (13)
2015 Corinthians 27 (2)
2016–2019 Palmeiras 94 (2)
Total 597 (34)
International career
2004 Brazil U23 8 (0)
2007 Brazil 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Eduardo Luís Abonízio de Souza (born 18 May 1981), better known as Edu Dracena, is a Brazilian retired professional footballer who played as a central defender.

Club career

Guarani

Born in Dracena, São Paulo, Dracena (nickname earned from his birthplace) graduated with Guarani's youth setup. He made his professional debut on 28 February 1999, starting in a 2–1 Campeonato Paulista away loss against Matonense, aged just 17.[2]

Dracena made his Série A debut on 8 August 1999, starting in a 1–0 away win over Gama.[3] He scored his first senior goal in the opening match of the 2000 season, netting the opener in a 1–1 away draw against América-SP.[4]

Dracena established himself in the club's starting XI in the following years, impressing in 2002.

Loan to Olympiacos

On 2 July 2002, Dracena was loaned to Olympiacos in a season-long deal.[5] He was a part of the squad which won the Alpha Ethniki, but only appearing in five matches.

Cruzeiro

Shortly after his return to Guarani, Dracena signed for Cruzeiro on 8 February 2003,[6] as a replacement for Lyon-bound Cris. He appeared regularly for the club, winning the year's Série A and Copa do Brasil.

Dracena fell through the pecking order in 2005, mainly due to an injury which ruled him out for seven months. In 2006, he was appointed Cruzeiro's captain, winning the year's Campeonato Mineiro.

Fenerbahçe

In August 2006, Dracena transferred to Fenerbahçe for a €5.7 million fee.[7] On 19 May 2007, he scored Fenerbahçe's 500th goal against rivals Galatasaray.

Dracena rescinded his link with the club on 24 August 2009, after being mainly used as a backup during the 2008–09 season.[8]

Santos

On 16 September 2009, Dracena signed a three-year-deal with Santos FC,[9] being sidelined during his first year due to a knee injury.

Dracena was an important defensive unit for Peixe in the following years, winning three Paulista titles (2010, 2011 and 2012), one Copa do Brasil (2010, scoring in the final) and one Copa Libertadores (2011). However, he struggled with two serious knee injuries which sidelined him for long periods.[10][11]

On 15 January 2015, after the club's financial trouble, Dracena rescinded his link.[12]

Corinthians

On 21 January 2015, Dracena signed a two-year deal with Santos' fierce rivals Corinthians.[13] On 22 December, after being a backup option, he terminated his contract.[14]

Palmeiras

Shortly after leaving Corinthians, Dracena signed a two-year contract with Palmeiras.[15] He was again a backup for the most of his spell, but still won two Série A titles with the club (2016 and 2018).

On 4 December 2019, Dracena announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 38.[16]

International career

Dracena played for the Brazil U-20 team in 2001, participated in the 2001 U-20 World Cup. He was also a member of Brazil U-23 team that failed to win the 2004 Pre-Olympic Tournament and hence failed to qualify for the 2004 Summer Olympics.

In June 2003, Dracena received his first call up to the Brazilian senior team for the 2003 Confederations Cup. However, he did not make his international debut during the competition.

Four years later, Dracena was called up to play a friendly match against United States and Mexico on 9 and 12 September 2007. He played 45 minutes as a substitute against United States, which marked his first international cap, followed by a place in the starting line-up against Mexico.[17][18]

Post-playing career

On 19 December 2019, Dracena was presented as the new technical advisor of Palmeiras, replacing former player Zé Roberto.[19] On 27 October 2021, he returned to Santos after being named the club's football executive.[20]

On 7 July 2022, Dracena resigned from his executive role at Santos.[21]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[22]
Club Season League State League National cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Guarani 1999[23] Série A 19013[lower-alpha 1]040——360
2000[24] 16111[lower-alpha 1]210——283
2001[25] 21010[lower-alpha 1]020——330
2002[26] 00—31—14[lower-alpha 2]2173
Total 561342101—1421146
Olympiacos 2002–03 Alpha Ethniki 50——5[lower-alpha 3]0—100
Cruzeiro 2003 Série A 3533[lower-alpha 4]1912[lower-alpha 5]1—496
2004 32212[lower-alpha 4]0—9[lower-alpha 6]1—533
2005 5013[lower-alpha 4]130——211
2006 17114[lower-alpha 4]161——373
Total 896423182112—16013
Fenerbahçe 2006–07 Süper Lig 271—408[lower-alpha 7]0—391
2007–08 293—4012[lower-alpha 3]01[lower-alpha 8]0463
2008–09 161—518[lower-alpha 3]0—292
Total 725—131280101146
Santos 2009 Série A 20————20
2010 28216[lower-alpha 1]0922[lower-alpha 5]0—554
2011 27119[lower-alpha 1]1—13[lower-alpha 6]12[lower-alpha 9]0613
2012 6213[lower-alpha 1]4—12[lower-alpha 6]1—317
2013 33215[lower-alpha 1]150——533
2014 1900060——250
Total 11576362022722022717
Corinthians 2015 Série A 16211[lower-alpha 1]0104[lower-alpha 6]0—322
Palmeiras 2016 Série A 1704[lower-alpha 1]0202[lower-alpha 6]0—250
2017 25012[lower-alpha 1]0406[lower-alpha 6]0—470
2018 2021[lower-alpha 1]0605[lower-alpha 6]0—322
2019 609[lower-alpha 1]02000—170
Total 682260140130—1212
Career total 421231761176688417277846

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[22]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Brazil 200720
Total20

Honours

Olympiacos
Cruzeiro
Fenerbahçe
Santos
Corinthians
Palmeiras

References

  1. 1 2 3 "FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011 presented by Toyota: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 December 2011. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 January 2012.
  2. ↑ "Matonense 2 X 1 GUARANI" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  3. ↑ "Gama 0 X 1 GUARANI" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  4. ↑ "América (S. J. R. Preto) 1 X 1 GUARANI" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  5. ↑ "Zagueiro Edu Dracena vai jogar no Olympiakos" [Stopper Edu Dracena will play in Olympiakos] (in Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 2 July 2002. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  6. ↑ "Cruzeiro contrata Edu Dracena para o lugar de Cris" [Cruzeiro signs Edu Dracena as a replacement for Cris] (in Portuguese). Diário do Grande ABC. 8 February 2003. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  7. ↑ "Edu Dracena troca o Cruzeiro pelo Fenerbahçe" [Edu Dracena changes Cruzeiro for Fenerbahçe] (in Portuguese). Agora Esporte. 26 August 2006. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  8. ↑ "Edu Dracena rescinde contrato com Fenerbahçe" [Edu Dracena rescinds contract with Fenerbahçe] (in Portuguese). Trivela. 24 August 2009. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  9. ↑ "Santos contrata zagueiro Edu Dracena" [Santos signs stopper Edu Dracena] (in Portuguese). Terra Esportes. 16 September 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  10. ↑ "Após renovar até 2015, Edu Dracena lamenta grave lesão" [After renewing until 2015, Edu Dracena laments serious injury] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Placar. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  11. ↑ "Edu Dracena passa por cirurgia no joelho e deve receber alta na quinta" [Edu Dracena goes through knee surgery and may be discharged on Thursday] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  12. ↑ "Nota à imprensa" [Announcement to the media] (in Portuguese). Santos FC. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  13. ↑ "Reforço para a zaga, Edu Dracena assina por dois anos com o Timão" [Addition to the defense, Edu Dracena signs for two years with Timão] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  14. ↑ "Edu Dracena rescinde contrato com Corinthians e negocia com Palmeiras" [Edu Dracena rescinds contract with Corinthians and negotiates with Palmeiras] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  15. ↑ "Palmeiras confirma contratação de Edu Dracena, que assina por dois anos" [Palmeiras confirm the signing of Edu Dracena, who signs for two years] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Gazeta Esportiva. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  16. ↑ "Edu Dracena anuncia aposentadoria, diz que continuará no futebol, mas não define função" [Edu Dracena announces retirement, says that he will continue in football, but does not define his role] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Terra. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  17. ↑ "U.S. Falls to World's No. 1 Team as Ronaldinho Scores the Game-Winner to Give Brazil a 4–2 Victory". USA's official website. 9 September 2007. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  18. ↑ "Edu é titular na Seleção" [Edu is a starter in Seleção] (in Portuguese). Fenerbahçe SK. 13 September 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  19. ↑ "Novo assessor técnico do Palmeiras, Edu Dracena garante ênfase na base" [New technical advisor of Palmeiras, Edu Dracena assures empashis on the youth setup] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Gazeta Esportiva. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  20. ↑ "Santos anuncia Edu Dracena como executivo de futebol" [Santos announce Edu Dracena as football executive] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  21. ↑ "Edu Dracena pede demissão e se despede do Santos" [Edu Dracena resigns and bids farewell from Santos] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Lance!. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  22. 1 2 Edu Dracena at Soccerway. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  23. ↑ "1999" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  24. ↑ "2000" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  25. ↑ "2001" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  26. ↑ "2002" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
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