In the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.

There are four types of defender: centre-back, sweeper, full-back and wing-back. The centre-back and full-back positions are essential in most modern formations. The sweeper and wing-back roles are more specialised for certain formations.

Centre back[link]

The job of the centre-back (also known as the centre-half, central defender, or stopper) is to stop opposing players, particularly the strikers, from scoring, and to bring the ball out from their penalty area. As their name suggests, they play in a central position.

In the modern game, most teams employ two centre-backs, stationed in front of the goalkeeper. There are two main defensive strategies used by centre-backs: the zonal defence, where each centre-back covers a specific area of the pitch; and man-to-man marking, where each centre-back has the job of covering a particular opposition player.

• Marking threats in their immediate area (zonal defending) or to mark a particular opposition player (man-marking).
• Making tackles on attacking players as the last line of defence against the opposition.
• Intercepting dangerous crosses, shots and through-passes that cause an immediate danger to the team.
• Defending opposition corners and to stay in the opposition team's penalty box for corners and set-pieces with headers.^[1]
• To form the tactical base of the team. Coaches either choose to field the "line" of defence deep or further upfield. The choice of defensive line has great tactical implications in the professional game. A deep defensive line is considered a more conservative approach; however, it also means that the midfielders are required to cover more ground in the game and risk conceding midfield territory to the opposition. A high defensive line allows teams to pin opposition teams into their own territory and apply pressure when chasing for a goal; however, it leaves the defending team vulnerable to counter-attacks by quick opposition players.
• Maintain the defensive posture. Due to the advent of the offside rule in the modern game, defenders and centre-backs in particular need to ensure that the defensive line is strictly enforced when opposition attacking players are nearby. A defender that strays slightly behind the defensive line, for example, can "play" an opposition player onside and inadvertently create a scoring opportunity.
• Playing a simple game. Due to their proximity to goal, centre-backs need to avoid over-elaboration and play short and simple passes to their colleagues upfield, as well as avoid playing passes square across the defence, where they are vulnerable to interception by an opposition player.

• Height, good heading and jumping ability to contest balls in the air.
• Strength, marking and tackling ability to deal with one-on-one threats.
• Bravery and aggression to rush out and deal with any unexpected goal threats.
• Ability to read the game as well as anticipate incoming threats. Centre-backs need to balance the need to deal with any imminent threat from the opposition and the need to maintain the defensive posture.
• Concentration. Centre-backs need to focus on the task at hand and get interceptions, last-ditch tackles and headers correctly every time. They also need to ensure that they get a sure footing on the ball when clearing it so as to play it away from danger.
• Passing. Under pressure, centre-backs may need to call on competent passing skills to move the ball out to midfielders.

Sweeper (Libero)[link]

The sweeper is a more versatile type of centre-back who "sweeps up" the ball if an opponent manages to breach the defensive line. His position is rather more fluid than other defenders who man-mark their designated opponents. Because of this, the position is sometimes referred to as libero ([ˈlibero]; from the Italian word meaning "free", as used by the sports journalist Gianni Brera). Though the sweeper may be expected to build counter-attacking moves, and as such requires better ball control and passing ability than a typical centre-back, his talents are often confined to the defensive realm. For example, the catenaccio system of play, used in Italian football in the 1960s, employed a purely defensive sweeper who only "roamed" around the back line.^[2]

Some sweepers move forward and distribute the ball up-field, while others intercept passes and get the ball off the opposition without needing to hurl themselves into tackles. In modern football, its usage has been fairly restricted, with few clubs in the biggest leagues using the position.

Full back[link]

The full-backs take up the holding wide positions and traditionally stayed in defence at all times, until a set-piece. Modern full-backs take a more attacking role, overlapping with wingers down the flank. There is one full-back on each side of the field.^[3] The traditional English full-back was a large, strong man who would make substantial use of "hacking" – deliberately kicking the shins of opponents, a practice that was accepted as legal in Britain but not in other countries, and caused major controversy as the game became increasingly internationalised from the 1950s on. It is now effectively banned everywhere, and it is this in part that has given rise to a different set of defensive roles.

In the modern game, full-backs have taken on a more attacking role than is the case traditionally.^[4] Wingerless formations, such as the diamond 4–4–2 formation, demand the full-back to cover considerable ground up and down the flank. Some of the responsibilities of modern full-backs include:

• Provide a physical obstruction to opposition attacking players by shepherding them towards an area where they exert less influence. They may manoeuvre in a fashion that causes the opponent to cut in towards the centre-back or defensive midfielder with his weaker foot, where he is likely to be dispossessed. Otherwise, jockeying and smart positioning may simply pin back a winger in an area where he is less likely to exert influence.
• Making off-the-ball runs into spaces down the channels and supplying crosses into the opposing penalty box.
• Throw-ins are usually assigned to full-backs.
• Marking wingers and other attacking players. Full-backs generally do not commit into challenges in their opponents' half. However, they aim to quickly dispossess attacking players who have already breached the defensive line with a sliding tackle from the side. Markers must however avoid keeping too tight on opponents or risk disrupting the defensive organisation.^[5]
• Maintaining tactical discipline by ensuring other team-mates do not over-run the defensive line and inadvertently play an opponent onside.
• Providing a passing option down the flank; for instance, by creating opportunities for sequences like one-two passing moves.
• In wingerless formations, full-backs need to cover the roles of both wingers and full-backs, although defensive work may be shared with one of the central midfielders.
• Additionally, attacking full-backs help to pin both opposition full-backs and wingers deeper in their own half with aggressive attacking intent. Their presence in attack also forces the opposition to withdraw players from central midfield, which the team can seize to its advantage.^[6]

Due to the physical and technical demands of their playing position, successful full-backs need a wide range of attributes, which make them suited for adaptation to other roles on the pitch. Many of the game's utility players, who can play in multiple positions on the pitch, are natural full-backs. A rather prominent example is the Real Madrid full-back Sergio Ramos, who has played on both flanks as a full-back and as a defensive midfielder, and in central defence throughout his career. In the modern game, full-backs often chip in a fair share of assists with their runs down the flank when the team is on a counter-attack. The more common attributes of full-backs, however, include:

• Pace and stamina to handle the demands of covering large distances up and down the flank.
• A healthy work rate and team responsibility.
• Marking and tackling abilities and a sense of anticipation.
• Good off-the-ball ability to create attacking opportunities for his team by running into empty channels.
• Dribbling ability. Many of the game's eminent attacking full-backs are excellent dribblers in their own right and occasionally deputise as attacking wingers.
• Player intelligence. As is common for defenders, full-backs need to decide during the flow of play whether to stick close to a winger or maintain a suitable distance. Full-backs that stay too close to attacking players are vulnerable to being pulled out of position and leaving a gap in the defence. A quick passing movement like a pair of one-two passes will leave the channel behind the defending full-back open. This vulnerability is a reason why wingers considered to be dangerous are double-marked by both the full-back and the winger. This allows the full-back to focus on holding his defensive line.^[7]

Wing-back[link]

The wing-back is a modern variation on the full-back with heavier emphasis on attack. The name is a portmanteau of "winger" and "full-back". They are usually employed in a 3-5-2 formation, and could therefore be considered part of the midfield, although they may also be used in a 5–3–2 formation, in which they would have a more defensive role.

In the evolution of the modern game, wing-backs are the combination of wingers and full-backs. As such, it is one of the most physically demanding positions in modern football. Wing-backs are often more adventurous than full-backs and are expected to provide width, especially in teams without wingers. A wing-back needs to be of exceptional stamina, be able to provide crosses upfield and defend effectively against opponents' attacks down the flanks. A defensive midfielder is usually fielded to cover the advances of wingbacks.^[8]

See also[link]

• Association football positions
• Formation
• Catenaccio

References[link]

Look up left in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Left may refer to:

• Left (direction)
• Left (Hope of the States album), 2006
• Left (Sharlok Poems album)
• Left-wing politics, the political trend or ideology
• Left (Austria), a movement of Marxist-Leninist, Maoist and Trotskyist organisations in Austria

See also[link]

• Copyleft
• Left-handedness
• Left seat
• Venstre (disambiguation)

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2009)

Human back
Illustration of a human back.
Posterior view of the thorax and shoulder
Latin	dorsum humanum
Gray's	subject #281 1303

The human back is the large posterior area of the human body, rising from the top of the buttocks to the back of the neck and the shoulders. It is the surface opposite to the chest, its height being defined by the vertebral column (commonly referred to as the spine or backbone) and its breadth being supported by the ribcage and shoulders. The spinal canal runs through the spine and provides nerves to the rest of the body.

Anatomy of the back[link]

Skeletal structure of the back[link]

The central feature of the human back is the vertebral column, specifically the length from the top of the thoracic vertebrae to the bottom of the lumbar vertebrae, which houses the spinal cord in its spinal canal, and which generally has some curvature that gives shape to the back. The ribcage extends from the spine at the top of the back (with the top of the ribcage corresponding to the T1 vertebra), more than halfway down the length of the back, leaving an area with less protection between the bottom of the ribcage and the hips. The width of the back at the top is defined by the scapula, the broad, flat bones of the shoulders.

Muscles of the back[link]

The spine is bordered by several groups of muscles, including the intertransversarii muscle which facilitate movement between the individual vertebrae, and the multifidus spinae, which facilitate the movement of the spine as a whole.

Other muscles in the back are associated with the movement of the neck and shoulders. The trapezius muscle, which is named from its trapezium-like shape, runs between the neck, the anterior chain, the two shoulders, and the thoracic vertebra, T12. The large latissimus dorsi make a triangle from the shoulder to the hip.

Function of the back[link]

The intricate anatomy of the back provides support for the head and trunk of the body, strength in the trunk of the body, as well as a great deal of flexibility and movement. The upper back has the most structural support, with the ribs attached firmly to each level of the thoracic spine and very limited movement. The lower back (lumbar vertebrae) allows for flexibility and movement in back bending (extension) and forward bending (flexion). It does not permit twisting.

Back pain[link]

The back comprises interconnecting nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, all of which can be a source of pain. Back pain is one of the most common types of pain in adults. By far the most common cause of back pain is muscle strain. The back muscles can usually heal themselves within a couple of weeks, but the pain can be intense and debilitating. Other common sources of back pain include disc problems, such as degenerative disc disease or a lumbar disc herniation, many types of fractures, such as spondylolisthesis or an osteoporotic fracture, or osteoarthritis.

Organs of the back[link]

The lungs are within the ribcage, and extend to the back of the ribcage, making it possible for them to be listened into through the back. The kidneys are situated beneath the muscles in the area below the end of the ribcage, loosely connected to the peritoneum. A strike to the lower back can damage the kidneys of the person being hit.

Surface of the back[link]

The skin of the human back is thicker and has fewer nerve endings than the skin on any other part of the torso. With some notable exceptions (see, e.g. George "The Animal" Steele), it tends to have less hair than the chest on men. The upper-middle back is also the one area of the body which a typical human under normal conditions might be unable to physically touch. When this area is itchy, a backscratcher can be used to ease the discomfort.

Significance in human society[link]

Painting of a woman's back by Edgar Degas.

A substantial area of scar tissue on the back of an oft-whipped slave.

Extensive back tattoo.

The curvature of the female back is a frequent theme in paintings, because the sensibilities of many cultures permit the back to be shown nude - implying full nudity without actually displaying it. Indeed, the practice of showing explicitness on the lower back has been performed for centuries. Certain articles of clothing, such as the haltertop and the backless dress, are designed to expose the back in this manner. The lower back is typically exposed frequently by many types of shirts in woman's fashion, and even the more conservative shirts and blouses will reveal the lower back. This happens for a variety of reasons- the lower waist area is a pivot point for the body and lengthens and arches as a person sits or bends. Secondly, woman's fashion typically favors tops that are waist length, allowing the back to be left bare during slight movement, bending or sitting. The back also serves as the largest canvas for body art on the human body. Because of its size and the relative lack of hair, the back presents an ideal canvas on the human body for lower back tattoos, mostly among young women. Indeed, some individuals have tattoos that cover the entirety of the back. Others have smaller tattoos at significant locations, such as the shoulder blade or the bottom of the back.

Many English idioms mention the back, usually highlighting it as an area of vulnerability; one must "watch one's back", or one may end up "with one's back up against the wall"; worse yet, someone may "stab one in the back", but hopefully a friend "has got one's back". The back is also a symbol of strength and hard work, with those seeking physical labor looking for "strong backs", and workers being implored to "put their back into it".

Historically, flagellation of a person across the back with a whip was both a common form of punishment of criminals, and a common means of forcing slaves to work. As well, self-flagellation, as in self punishment, may include the use of whipping oneself. This is one method of mortification, the practice of inflicting physical suffering on oneself with the religious belief that it will serve as penance for one's own sins or those of others. While more moderate forms of mortification are widely practiced—particularly in the Catholic Church—self flagellation is not encouraged by mainstream religions or religious leaders. A well-known instrument used for flagellations is the infamous Cat 'o Nine Tails, a nine-corded whip with one handle enabling a much more effective whipping would be possible with only one lashing at a time.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Human backs

v t e Human regional anatomy (TA A01.1) Head Forehead · Ear · Jaw · Face (Cheek, Eye, Nose, Mouth, Chin) · Occiput · Scalp · Temple Neck Throat · Adam's apple Trunk Chest (Breast) · Abdomen (Navel) · Back · Pelvis (Sex organs) Limbs Upper limb Shoulder · Axilla · Arm Elbow · Forearm Wrist · Hand · Finger (Thumb · Index · Middle · Ring · Little) Lower limb/ (see also leg) Hip · Buttocks · Thigh Knee · Calf · Crus Ankle · Heel · Foot · Toe (Hallux · Long  • Third  • Fourth  • Fifth) · Sole General anatomy: systems and organs, regional anatomy, planes and lines, superficial axial anatomy, superficial anatomy of limbs

Kieran Gibbs

Personal information
Full name	Kieran James Ricardo Gibbs[1]
Date of birth	(1989-09-26) 26 September 1989 (age 22)
Place of birth	Lambeth, London, England
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Playing position	Left back
Club information
Current club	Arsenal
Number	28
Youth career
2001–2004	Wimbledon
2004–2007	Arsenal
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2007–	Arsenal	34	(1)
2008	→ Norwich City (loan)	7	(0)
National team‡
2007–2008	England U19	9	(0)
2009	England U20	1	(0)
2009–	England U21	15	(3)
2010–	England	2	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:11, 13 May 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15:54, 2 October 2011 (UTC)

Kieran James Ricardo Gibbs (born 26 September 1989) is an English footballer who plays for Arsenal and was a product of their academy who came to prominence during 2006–07 FA Youth Cup by scoring in the semi-final prior to his first-team breakthrough.^[3] He plays as a left back for Arsenal and made his début for the Senior England national team in a friendly against Hungary at Wembley Stadium on 11 August 2010. He attended Riddlesdown High School in Purley, London.

Club career[link]

Gibbs began his career at the Wimbledon academy but moved to Arsenal along with Abu Ogogo and James Dunne when Wimbledon disbanded in 2004 and became Milton Keynes Dons. He played in the centre midfield position and also on the left wing. He has featured regularly for Arsenal's U18 and reserves teams and also played in pre-season friendlies against Barnet and Inter Milan.

Gibbs warming up prior to a match

2007–08 season[link]

In September 2007, Gibbs signed a professional contract with Arsenal,^[4] and was named in the club's 2007–08 UEFA Champions League squad and given squad number 34.^[5] He made his first-team debut for the club when he started a League Cup match against Sheffield United on 31 October 2007,^[6] and made his second appearance coming on as a substitute for Eduardo da Silva in Arsenal's quarter-final against Blackburn Rovers on 18 December 2007.^[7][8]

On 31 January 2008, he agreed to go on loan to Norwich City until the end of the 2007–08 season.^[9] He returned to Arsenal a match early on 29 April 2008 and retook his place in the Arsenal reserve squad.^[10] He went on to make the substitutes bench for Arsenal's first team match against Everton on 4 May 2008 but did not play.^[11]

2008–09 season[link]

He featured in Arsenal pre-season games for the 2008–09 season, mostly as a left-back, and was an unused substitute in Arsenal's 1–0 Premier League loss to Fulham on 24 August 2008,^[12] and a 3–1 victory over Bolton Wanderers on September. Gibbs continued to play in Arsenal's League Cup campaign and played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal's 6–0 win over Sheffield United in the third round, on 23 September 2008. He also played in the 3–0 win over Wigan Athletic as well as starting in the defeat to Burnley at the quarter final stage.^[13][14][15] He made UEFA Champions League debut on 10 December 2008, against FC Porto in Portugal, replacing Abou Diaby.^[16] Gibbs made his Premier League debut against Tottenham Hotspur on 8 February 2009, coming on as a substitute for the injured Gaël Clichy.

With Clichy injured, Gibbs made his first Champions League start for Arsenal in the quarter-final second leg against Villarreal CF on 15 April 2009, which Arsenal won 3–0.^[17] Gibbs started a FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and set up Theo Walcott's goal.^[18] He was also involved when Arsenal drew with Liverpool on 21 April at Anfield, where he cleared the ball off the line.^[19] After an extended run in the first team in Clichy's absence, Gibbs made an appearance in the Champions League semi-final first leg away at Manchester United, which Arsenal lost 1–0. In the second leg, Gibbs made a costly slip when attempting to defend a cross and allowed Park Ji-Sung to score a crucial away goal for United after only seven minutes.^[20]

2009–10 season[link]

He started in Arsenal's opening home match of the 2009–10 season against Portsmouth and featured for the whole 90 minutes.^[21] With Clichy injured and out for several weeks, Wenger entrusted the left back spot to the youngster. However, on 24 November, Gibbs broke a metatarsal in his right foot in Arsenal's 2–0 Champions League victory over Standard Liege as a result of a lunge from Eliaquim Mangala, sidelining him for the rest of the season.^[22]

2010–11 season[link]

Gibbs was used quite frequently in pre-season for Arsenal. He made his first start of the season and completed 90 minutes when he replaced Gaël Clichy at left back against Bolton on the 12th September 2010. In a Carling Cup match at Tottenham, Gibbs started the match, deputizing Gaël Clichy at left back. During the extra time, he suffered a suspected broken metatarsal to his left foot and he was replaced by Clichy. Wenger later said that it was a metatarsal injury again but the one next to the one he had broken last season and Gibbs required a further check. A day later, the club confirmed via their official website that Gibbs had only suffered severe bruising to his left foot and would hopefully only be missing from first-team action for the short term.^[23] He made his comeback a week later in a Champions League 3–1 away win against FK Partizan. He conceded a penalty in the second half which was well saved by Łukasz Fabiański.

2011–12 season[link]

On 20 September 2011, Gibbs scored his first goal for Arsenal in the 33rd minute of a League Cup match against Shrewsbury Town.^[24] He scored his first league goal for Arsenal on 24 March 2012 in a 3–0 win against Aston Villa at the Emirates.^[25]

International career[link]

Gibbs making his debut for England against Hungary, 11 August 2010

He was part of England U19 squad that was knocked out in the group stages of 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship but qualifed for 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt as a result finishing third in their group.^[26][27][28]

Gibbs was called up for the England U21 squad along with Arsenal team-mate Theo Walcott for the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Sweden. He scored two goals in a pre-tournament friendly victory over Azerbaijan in a 7–0 rout at stadium:mk on 8 June 2009^[29] and converted his penalty in the tournament semifinal against Sweden. Stuart Pearce recalled Gibbs to the squad for the 2011 European Championship qualifiers. He scored the opening goal in a 6–3 thrashing of Macedonia on 9 October.^[30]

On 7 August 2010, Gibbs was called up by Fabio Capello to the Senior squad for the first time for their friendly against Hungary on 11 August.^[31] He made his full England debut on 11 August 2010 coming on as a half time substitute for Ashley Cole against Hungary.^[32]

Career statistics[link]

Club[link]

As of 13 May 2012^[33]

Honours[link]

Arsenal FC[link]

Runner-up:

• Football League Cup: 2011

International[link]

Runner-up:

• UEFA U-21 Championship: 2009

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kieran Gibbs

• Kieran Gibbs career stats at Soccerbase
• Kieran Gibbs profile at Arsenal.com
• Kieran Gibbs profile at TheFA.com

v t e England squad – 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship 1 Button 2 Cork 3 Mattock 4 Gosling 5 Tomkins 6 Pearce 7 Sinclair 8 Gibbs 9 Sturridge 10 Sears 11 Rose 12 Bertrand 13 Steele 14 Moses 15 Chandler 16 Delph 17 Mee 18 Obadeyi Coach: Eastick

v t e England squad – 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship 1 Hart 2 Cranie 3 Taylor 4 Cattermole 5 Stearman 6 Onuoha 7 Milner 8 Gardner 9 Agbonlahor 10 Noble 11 Johnson 12 Muamba 13 Lewis 14 Walcott 15 Rodwell 16 Tomkins 17 Richards 18 Mancienne 19 Gibbs 20 Driver 21 Campbell 22 Loach 23 Rose Coach: Pearce

v t e England squad – 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship 1 Fielding 2 Mancienne 3 Bertrand 4 Muamba 5 Smalling 6 Jones 7 Albrighton 8 Henderson 9 Welbeck 10 Sturridge 11 Sinclair 12 Gibbs 13 McCarthy 14 Walker 15 Tomkins 16 Cork 17 Cleverley 18 Lansbury 19 Rodwell 20 Rose 21 Delfouneso 22 Wickham 23 Steele Coach: Pearce

André Santos

Personal information
Full name	André Clarindo dos Santos
Date of birth	(1983-03-08) 8 March 1983 (age 29)
Place of birth	São Paulo, Brazil
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position	Left back/Left winger
Club information
Current club	Arsenal
Number	11
Youth career
	Figueirense
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2004–2007	Figueirense	61	(13)
2005–2006	→ Flamengo (loan)	22	(0)
2006	→ Atlético Mineiro (loan)	28	(17)
2008–2009	Corinthians	39	(9)
2009–2011	Fenerbahçe	52	(10)
2011–	Arsenal	15	(2)
National team‡
2009–	Brazil	22	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:09, 13 May 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18:23, 26 November 2011 (UTC)

André Clarindo dos Santos (born 8 March 1983), more commonly known as André Santos, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Arsenal and the Brazil national football team as a left wing-back and left winger. Santos is a youth product of Figueirense. He made his senior debut for Figueirense in a friendly game against Corinthians. On 15 June 2009, he made his first international appearance as a substitute in a match against Egypt. Santos participated and helped Brazil capture the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has described Santos as a quality player, with the ability to both defend well and get forward and help with attacks.^[1]

Early life and career[link]

Santos is of European, African and Amerindian ancestry. As a youngster he was rarely seen without a football. His father realized his talent at an early age and placed him with the academy of his local club Figueirense. André developed his goal-scoring abilities by arriving on the training pitch earlier than his teammates and practicing his shooting. Santos first played professionally for Figueirense in a friendly game against Corinthians as a left winger. He was promoted to the A team on 10 July 2003. In September 2003, Pele described Santos as the next Roberto Carlos.

André Santos went on loan in 2005 to Flamengo. Santos played 22 matches in the Série A. Santos played 28 Série B matches and scored 17 goals for Atlético Mineiro.

Corinthians[link]

He joined Corinthians in 2008, with Figueirense retained 50% economic rights for the future transfer fee.^[2] The deal was partially financed by DIS Esporte, which Corinthians later sold 22.5% rights to the investment group,^[3][4] along with Dentinho and Renato, for R$ 5.4 million total fee.^[5] Corinthians also sold 40% rights to Turbo Sports, for R$ 3.6 million^[5] after partnered with the investor to sign Figueirense's remain 50% rights, made Corinthians owned 37.5% rights after the deal.^[6] But Corinthians did not paid Turbo Sports for its portion of the transfer fee (from Fenerbahçe), which the company later sued Corinthians.^[7]

Santos was successfully converted to play in the attacking left back position.^{[citation needed]} He won the Série B, Copa do Brasil and Campeonato Paulista before leaving the club.

Fenerbahçe[link]

On 20 July 2009, he joined Turkish club Fenerbahçe together with his teammate in Corinthians, Cristian Oliveira Baroni.^[8][9] They signed a 5-year contract.^[10]

André Santos, who cost €9 million,^{[citation needed]} played at Fenerbahçe's left wing, winning the spot from another famous Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos who was later transferred to Corinthians.

He scored a total of 10 goals in 52 league appearance for the football club. He scored 5 goals in 25 appearances in the Turkish Super League in the 2010–11 season, making him the top scoring left back in Turkey.^[11] Fenerbahçe were involved in a match fixing scandal and were removed from the UEFA Champions League and replaced by rivals Trabzonspor AS who finished the 2010/2011 season as runners up on goal difference, behind Fenerbahçe.^[12] On 29 August 2011, Arsenal agreed a £6.2m fee for the transfer of Santos.^[13]

Santos later said that he was not deserting a sinking ship by leaving Fenerbahçe, insisting he loved playing for them.^[12] "I am leaving Fenerbahçe from front door," Santos told reporters at Istanbul airport on 31 August. "I love the country, Istanbul and Turkish people. I can come back here at the latter stages of my career. I was happy at Fenerbahçe but I did right thing for my career.^[12]

Arsenal[link]

On 31 August 2011, André Santos signed for Arsenal on a long-term contract. He was given the number 11 shirt.^[14] Via Turkish Public Disclosure System (for Turkish stocks), Fenerbahçe SK announced the fee was €7 million.^[15]

He made his debut for the Gunners on 17 September, starting against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in a Barclays Premier League fixture, playing the full 90 minutes at left-back in a 4–3 defeat. On 28 September, he scored his first goal for Arsenal in the 2–1 win over Olympiacos in a UEFA Champions League group match. His first Premier League goal was the second goal in the 5–3 away win against London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 29 October 2011. He continued with a series of solid performances as Arsenal's first choice left back in the absence of Kieran Gibbs, however he himself sustained an injury in the 3–1 defeat against Olympiacos which would keep him out for up to three months.^[16]

Santos made his return on 24 March in a 3–0 win against Aston Villa coming on as a substitute for Kieran Gibbs on the 68th minute.^[17]

On 13 May, he scored the equalising goal against West Bromwich Albion, levelling the score at 2–2. Arsenal went on to win the match 3–2 thanks to a Laurent Koscielny winner^[18], thus securing third place and automatic Champions League qualification ahead of North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.^[19]

International career[link]

On 21 May 2009, he was called up for the first time to the Brazil national team for 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification and the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.^[20] On 15 June 2009, he made his first international appearance as a substitute in a match against Egypt.^[21] He then started the following four games as Brazil went on to win the competition. He was in the starting line-up in the Final against United States but was substituted in the 66th minute of play for Dani Alves as he earlier picked a yellow card. Brazil went on to win the match 3–2. However, he was dropped for the friendlies afterwards and Dunga preferred Michel Bastos and Gilberto on the match against Republic of Ireland in February 2010. That 22-man squad against Ireland also became the backbone of 2010 FIFA World Cup squad announced on 11 May.^[22][23] After Brazil had a disappointing world cup Dunga was replaced by Mano Menezes. Under Menezes, Santos regained his spot in the starting line-up.^[24]

André Santos celebrates a goal for Brazil against Scotland, on 27 March 2011, with Neymar and Ramires.

National team Season Apps Goals Brazil 2009 9 0 2010 4 0 2011 9 0 Total 22 0

International appearances and goals # Date Venue Opponent Result Goal Competition 1. 16 June 2009 Bloemfontein, South Africa  Egypt 4–3 0 2009 Confederations Cup 2. 18 June 2009 Pretoria, South Africa  United States 3–0 0 2009 Confederations Cup 3. 21 June 2009 Pretoria, South Africa  Italy 3–0 0 2009 Confederations Cup 4. 25 June 2009 Johannesburg, South Africa  South Africa 1–0 0 2009 Confederations Cup 5. 28 June 2009 Johannesburg, South Africa  United States 3–2 0 2009 Confederations Cup 6. 12 August 2009 Tallinn, Estonia  Estonia 1–0 0 Friendly 7. 5 September 2009 Rosario, Argentina  Argentina 3–1 0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 8. 9 September 2009 Salvador, Brazil  Chile 4–2 0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 9. 11 October 2009 La Paz, Bolivia  Bolivia 1–2 0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 10. 10 August 2010 New Jersey, United States of America  United States 2–0 0 Friendly 11. 7 October 2010 Abou Dhabi, United Arab Emirates  Iran 3–0 0 Friendly 12. 11 October 2010 Derby, England  Ukraine 2–0 0 Friendly 13. 17 November 2010 Doha, Qatar  Argentina 0–1 0 Friendly 14. 9 February 2011 Saint-Denis, France  France 0–1 0 Friendly 15. 27 March 2011 London, England  Scotland 2–0 0 Friendly 16. 4 June 2011 Goiânia, Brazil  Netherlands 0–0 0 Friendly 17. 7 June 2011 São Paulo, Brazil  Romania 1–0 0 Friendly 18. 3 July 2011 La Plata, Argentina  Venezuela 0–0 0 2011 Copa América 19. 9 July 2011 Córdoba, Argentina  Paraguay 2–2 0 2011 Copa América 20. 13 July 2011 Córdoba, Argentina  Ecuador 4–2 0 2011 Copa América 21. 17 July 2011 La Plata, Argentina  Paraguay 4–2 0 2011 Copa América 22. 10 August 2011 Stuttgart, Germany  Germany 2–3 0 Friendly

Career statistics[link]

Club[link]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2012)

As of 13 May 2012 (UTC).^[25]

Honours[link]

Club[link]

Figueirense

• Santa Catarina State League: 2004

Flamengo

• Copa do Brasil: 2006

Atlético Mineiro

• Brazilian Série B: 2006

Corinthians

• Brazilian Série B: 2008
• Campeonato Paulista: 2009
• Copa do Brasil: 2009

Fenerbahçe

• Turkish Süper Lig: 2010–11
• Turkish Super Cup: 2009

National team[link]

• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2009

References[link]

External links[link]

• zerozero.pt (Portuguese)
• espn soccernet
• Futpédia (Portuguese)
• André Santos at National-Football-Teams.com