Cleiton Xavier

Cleiton Ribeiro Xavier (Ukrainian: Клейтон Шав'єр; born 23 March 1983) is a Brazilian former professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder. He is known by his powerful and accurate free kicks, dribbling skills and passes.

Cleiton Xavier
Personal information
Full nameCleiton Ribeiro Xavier
Date of birth (1983-03-23) 23 March 1983 (age 41)
Place of birthSão José da Tapera, Brazil
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)Attacking midfielder
Youth career
CSA
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2001–2002CSA8(2)
2002–2008Internacional68(5)
2005Sport Recife (loan)4(0)
2005Brasiliense (loan)5(1)
2006Gama (loan)6(0)
2006Marília (loan)2(0)
2007–2008Figueirense (loan)61(12)
2009–2010Palmeiras90(16)
2010–2015Metalist Kharkiv147(59)
2015–2016Palmeiras62(5)
2017–2018Vitória42(7)
International career
2003Brazil U205(0)
2009Brazil0(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 January 2017

Club career

In his early career, Cleiton Xavier played for CSA and Internacional, and was loaned out various times.

Palmeiras

In early 2009, Palmeiras signed Cleiton from the relegated Figueirense. Cleiton Xavier proved he had good talent in Palmeiras's first matches in the Libertadores Cup and in the São Paulo State Championship. On 29 April 2009 Cleiton Xavier scored an 87th minute away-goal against Colo-Colo in the Libertadores Cup that secured Palmeiras' progression to the knockout stages of the tournament, it was a very long-range shot inside the goalkeeper's left angle.[1]

Later in the Série A alongside teammate Diego Souza, Cleiton Xavier made an outstanding season with Palmeiras, leading the competition for 19 rounds, however Palmeiras finished 5th due to losses in the final matches and did not qualify for the Libertadores Cup. Cleiton Xavier was elected the 3rd best player of the season, even though he had an injury.In 2010, Cleiton Xavier remained with Palmeiras and also started well the year. He participated in Palmeiras's first ten goals in the São Paulo State Championship.

Metalist Kharkiv

On 14 July 2010, Cleiton Xavier transferred to FC Metalist Kharkiv for €4.5 million.[2] In 2013, he became popular for scoring a fastest equalizing goal from the starting line after the restart of the match against local league rival, Chornomorets. He then inspired them to a 3 – 1 victory which boosted their chances to qualify for next season Champions League campaign in which the victory lift them above another local rival who competing for the same spot, Dynamo Kyiv.[3]

Club statistics

As of 28 January 2017
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalState LeagueTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Internacional20022030000203
20032510000251
20042310000231
Total685000000685
Brasiliense200510000010
Total1000000010
Figueirense20072800000280
2008331200003312
Total61120000006112
Palmeiras2009323123173619
2010714100165277
Total394411233388816
Metalist Kharkiv2010–1126693359
2011–1225101223712
2012–132915953820
2013–142071000217
2014–159822511611
Total1094632351114759
Palmeiras20151003140171
Total100310040171
Vitória201700000000
Total0000000000
Career Total2675372421337835376

Honours

Internacional
Figueirense
Palmeiras
Vitória

References