Clayton Ferreira Cruz
Encyclopedia
Clayton Ferreira Cruz, simply Clayton (born 19 July 1975 in São João do Paraíso
, Minas Gerais
), is a Brazil
ian footballer who plays for Serrano Sport Club
.
A forward or winger, he preferably operates on the left. His 16-year professional career was spent, other than in his country, in Portugal
(five teams represented, namely F.C. Porto with which he won five major titles, including one league and one UEFA Cup) and Cyprus
(three clubs).
, namely with Clube Atlético Mineiro
, Clayton moved to Portugal
in 1999, joining Azores
' C.D. Santa Clara
. In January 2000, he moved to Portuguese League powerhouse F.C. Porto, and went on to become an important offensive element.
On 17 October 2001, in the season's UEFA Champions League
, Clayton netted a brace against Celtic FC
, in a 3–0 home triumph. He was also a part of the side's UEFA Cup winning team in 2002–03, although he did not play in the final
, against the same opponent.
In 2003–04, Clayton moved to Sporting Clube de Portugal and, after appearing scarcely throughout the season, was loaned to lowly F.C. Penafiel and joined Vitoria de Guimarães in the following two years.
After another Brazil spell, with Sport Club do Recife
, and another season at Penafiel (then in the Portuguese second level
), Clayton moved to Cyprus
. Starting 2007–08 with Alki Larnaca FC, he joined AC Omonia
in the following January transfer window
.
In January 2009, Clayton moved teams in the same country, signing with AEL Limassol
.
São João do Paraíso
São João do Paraíso is a city in the northeast of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. In 2007 its population was estimated to be 21,839 in a total area of 1,921 km²....
, Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais is one of the 26 states of Brazil, of which it is the second most populous, the third richest, and the fourth largest in area. Minas Gerais is the Brazilian state with the largest number of Presidents of Brazil, the current one, Dilma Rousseff, being one of them. The capital is the...
), is a Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian footballer who plays for Serrano Sport Club
Serrano Sport Club
Serrano Sport Club, commonly known as Serrano, is a Brazilian football club from Vitória da Conquista, Bahia state. They competed in the Série B once.-History:...
.
A forward or winger, he preferably operates on the left. His 16-year professional career was spent, other than in his country, in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
(five teams represented, namely F.C. Porto with which he won five major titles, including one league and one UEFA Cup) and Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
(three clubs).
Football career
After a solid career in native BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, namely with Clube Atlético Mineiro
Clube Atlético Mineiro
Clube Atlético Mineiro , are a Brazilian football club based in Belo Horizonte, the oldest in the city. Founded in 1908, they play in the Campeonato Mineiro and Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or Brasileirão. Atlético Mineiro have been Brazilian champions once, state winners a record 40 times and...
, Clayton moved to Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
in 1999, joining Azores
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
' C.D. Santa Clara
C.D. Santa Clara
Clube Desportivo Santa Clara is a Portuguese football club from Ponta Delgada, Azores. They are the most successful football team from the Azores islands. To date, it is the only club from the Azores islands to have competed in the top division of the Portuguese Liga, although they currently...
. In January 2000, he moved to Portuguese League powerhouse F.C. Porto, and went on to become an important offensive element.
On 17 October 2001, in the season's UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, Clayton netted a brace against Celtic FC
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, in a 3–0 home triumph. He was also a part of the side's UEFA Cup winning team in 2002–03, although he did not play in the final
2003 UEFA Cup Final
The 2003 UEFA Cup Final was played on 21 May 2003 between Celtic of Scotland and Porto of Portugal. Porto won the match 3–2 in extra time thanks to a goal from Derlei...
, against the same opponent.
In 2003–04, Clayton moved to Sporting Clube de Portugal and, after appearing scarcely throughout the season, was loaned to lowly F.C. Penafiel and joined Vitoria de Guimarães in the following two years.
After another Brazil spell, with Sport Club do Recife
Sport Club do Recife
Sport Club do Recife, more popularly known as Sport in Recife or Sport Recife in Northeastern Brazil, is a football team from Recife, Pernambuco.-1905 - Foundation:...
, and another season at Penafiel (then in the Portuguese second level
Liga de Honra
The Liga de Honra , known for sponsorship reasons as the Liga Orangina, is the Portuguese second level football league. It was formerly called Segunda Divisão and Segunda Divisão de Honra . When the LPFP took control of the two nationwide levels, it was renamed Segunda Liga, before renaming it...
), Clayton moved to Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. Starting 2007–08 with Alki Larnaca FC, he joined AC Omonia
AC Omonia
Athletic Club Omonoia Nicosia is a professional football club that plays in the Cyprus capital city Nicosia. The club was established in 1948 and became a member of the Cyprus Football Association in 1953...
in the following January transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
.
In January 2009, Clayton moved teams in the same country, signing with AEL Limassol
AEL Limassol
Athlitiki Enosi Lemesou , commonly known as AEL Limassol , is a Greek Cypriot multisport club based in the city of Limassol, the port of Cyprus....
.
Honours
- Porto:
- Portuguese League: 2002–03
- Portuguese CupTaça de PortugalThe Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
: 1999–00, 2000–01, 2002–03 - Portuguese Supercup: 2001; Runner-up 2000
- UEFA Cup: 2002–03
- AEL:
- Cypriot Cup: Runner-up 2008–09