Kléber de Souza Freitas
Encyclopedia
Kléber Giacomace de Souza Freitas, known simply as Kleber (born on August 12, 1983 in Osasco
, São Paulo
) is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a Forward.
from São Paulo
in January 2004.
In 2008 Kléber was loaned out to Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras
from FC Dynamo Kyiv
.
He was part of the transfer of Guilherme
to Dynamo
which sent Kléber in the opposite direction to Cruzeiro
in February 2009 arriving from Palmeiras. He signed a contract until February 2014.
In his first match for Cruzeiro, Kléber scored 2 goals and was dismissed in the first half, playing in the 2009 Copa Libertadores. After the match Kléber stated that he would stop being so aggressive in games and would only dedicate himself for the club. He helped Cruzeiro reach the Finals
of the Libertadores, eventually losing to Estudiantes
, from Argentina
, in the decisive 2nd leg match. After the shocking defeat in the Mineirão
stadium, Kléber injured himself in training and played only 15 league matches in 2009, although he helped Cruzeiro finish in the 4th place of the table and qualifying to the 2010 Copa Libertadores
scoring a decisive goal against Santos at Vila Belmiro in the final minutes of the last match in the year.
In July 2010, after a good season start, scoring 2 goals in four matches in the 2010 league
for Cruzeiro, Kléber agreed a transfer to his former club, Palmeiras, where he had played in 2008. Kléber was very well received by the club that has a great affection for him. In Palmeiras, the fans nickname him "Gladiador" (Gladiator), for his strong determination and amazing talent on the field.
In October 2011, Kléber strongly criticized Palmeiras coach Luis Felipe Scolari in a television interview, saying that "80 percent of the squad do not like him." He was removed from the squad right away following friction with the coach. Although he was under contract with the club until 2015, the board of Palmeiras confirmed that he would never represent the club again.
On 23 November 2011, Kléber signed a five-year contract with Grêmio after Palmeiras agreed to sell the 50 percent of the his playing rights.
FC Dynamo Kyiv
Palmeiras
Cruzeiro
Osasco
Osasco is a municipality and city in São Paulo State, Brazil, is located in the Greater São Paulo and ranking 5th in population among São Paulo municipalities. The current mayor is Emidio Pereira de Souza ....
, São Paulo
São Paulo (state)
São Paulo is a state in Brazil. It is the major industrial and economic powerhouse of the Brazilian economy. Named after Saint Paul, São Paulo has the largest population, industrial complex, and economic production in the country. It is the richest state in Brazil...
) is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a Forward.
Career
Kléber signed for FC Dynamo KyivFC Dynamo Kyiv
FC Dynamo Kyiv is a professional football club based in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. Founded in 1927, the club currently participates in the Ukrainian Premier League and has spent its entire history in the top league of Soviet and later Ukrainian football...
from São Paulo
São Paulo Futebol Clube
São Paulo Futebol Clube , commonly known as São Paulo, is a professional football club based in São Paulo, Brazil. They play in the Campeonato Paulista, São Paulo's state league, and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or Brasileirão, Brazil's national league, and are one of the only five clubs to...
in January 2004.
In 2008 Kléber was loaned out to Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras
Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras
Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras is a Brazilian football club from São Paulo. The club was founded on August 26, 1914, as Palestra Italia but changed to the current name on September 14, 1942...
from FC Dynamo Kyiv
FC Dynamo Kyiv
FC Dynamo Kyiv is a professional football club based in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. Founded in 1927, the club currently participates in the Ukrainian Premier League and has spent its entire history in the top league of Soviet and later Ukrainian football...
.
He was part of the transfer of Guilherme
Guilherme Milhomem Gusmão
Guilherme Milhomem Gusmão or simply Guilherme , is a Brazilian football forward for Atlético Mineiro-Cruzeiro:...
to Dynamo
FC Dynamo Kyiv
FC Dynamo Kyiv is a professional football club based in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. Founded in 1927, the club currently participates in the Ukrainian Premier League and has spent its entire history in the top league of Soviet and later Ukrainian football...
which sent Kléber in the opposite direction to Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube is a Brazilian football team, from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Internacional. Founded on January 2, 1921, they are only one of three clubs to have participated in...
in February 2009 arriving from Palmeiras. He signed a contract until February 2014.
In his first match for Cruzeiro, Kléber scored 2 goals and was dismissed in the first half, playing in the 2009 Copa Libertadores. After the match Kléber stated that he would stop being so aggressive in games and would only dedicate himself for the club. He helped Cruzeiro reach the Finals
2009 Copa Libertadores Finals
The 2009 Copa Libertadores Finals was the final two-legged tie to determine the 2009 Copa Libertadores champion. It was contested by Argentine club Estudiantes and Brazilian club Cruzeiro...
of the Libertadores, eventually losing to Estudiantes
Estudiantes de La Plata
Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history....
, from Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, in the decisive 2nd leg match. After the shocking defeat in the Mineirão
Mineirão
Mineirão , officially Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto established in 1965 in Belo Horizonte, is the largest football stadium in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and the second largest in the country, after Maracanã...
stadium, Kléber injured himself in training and played only 15 league matches in 2009, although he helped Cruzeiro finish in the 4th place of the table and qualifying to the 2010 Copa Libertadores
2010 Copa Libertadores
The 2010 Copa Libertadores de América was the 51st edition of the Copa Libertadores, CONMEBOL's premier international club tournament. The tournament began on January 26 and ended on August 18...
scoring a decisive goal against Santos at Vila Belmiro in the final minutes of the last match in the year.
In July 2010, after a good season start, scoring 2 goals in four matches in the 2010 league
2010 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
The 2010 Campeonato Brasileiro de Clubes da Série A was the 40th season of the Série A, the top-level of professional football in Brazil. It began on May 8 and ended on December 5. Flamengo came as the defending champion having won the 2009 season.-Format:...
for Cruzeiro, Kléber agreed a transfer to his former club, Palmeiras, where he had played in 2008. Kléber was very well received by the club that has a great affection for him. In Palmeiras, the fans nickname him "Gladiador" (Gladiator), for his strong determination and amazing talent on the field.
In October 2011, Kléber strongly criticized Palmeiras coach Luis Felipe Scolari in a television interview, saying that "80 percent of the squad do not like him." He was removed from the squad right away following friction with the coach. Although he was under contract with the club until 2015, the board of Palmeiras confirmed that he would never represent the club again.
On 23 November 2011, Kléber signed a five-year contract with Grêmio after Palmeiras agreed to sell the 50 percent of the his playing rights.
Honours
National team- FIFA World Youth Championship: 2003
FC Dynamo Kyiv
- Ukrainian Premier LeagueUkrainian Premier LeagueThe Ukrainian Premier League is the highest division of Ukrainian annual football championship. As the Supreme League it was founded in 1991 after the fold of the Soviet Union's Vysshaya Liga. In 2008 it was reformed into a more autonomous entity of the Football Federation of Ukraine and changed...
: 2004, 2007 - Ukrainian CupUkrainian CupThe Ukrainian Cup is a national knockout cup competition in Ukrainian football, run by the Football Federation of Ukraine. The winner of the competition is awarded a qualification to the UEFA Cup , under special circumstances the finalist also may enter...
: 2005, 2006, 2007
Palmeiras
- São Paulo State LeagueCampeonato PaulistaThe Campeonato Paulista de Futebol Profissional da Primeira Divisão - Série A1, simply known as the Campeonato Paulista, is the top-flight professional football league in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. The league is contested between 20 clubs and typically lasts from January to April...
: 2008Campeonato Paulista 2008The 2008 Campeonato Paulista de Futebol Profissional da Primeira Divisão - Série A1 is the 107th season of São Paulo's top-flight professional football league. The season began on January 16 and ended on May 4.-Format:...
Cruzeiro
- Minas Gerais State LeagueCampeonato MineiroCampeonato Mineiro is the state football league of the state of Minas Gerais and is controlled by the Minas Gerais Football Federation FMF ....
: 2009