Edu Dracena

	Dracena with Palmeiras in 2016
Personal information
Full name	Eduardo Luís Abonízio de Souza
Date of birth	18 May 1981 (age 44)
Place of birth	Dracena, Brazil
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Youth career
	Guarani
Senior career*
Years	Team
1999–2003	Guarani
2002–2003	→ Olympiacos (loan)
2003–2006	Cruzeiro
2006–2009	Fenerbahçe
2009–2015	Santos
2015	Corinthians
2016–2019	Palmeiras
Total
International career
2004	Brazil U23
2007	Brazil
	* Club domestic league appearances and goals
	Show more

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Dracena rescinded his link with the club on 24 August 2009, after being mainly used as a backup during the 2008–09 season.^[8]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 represented Brazil at the 2001 U-20 World Cup. In June 2003, he received his first call-up to the Brazilian senior team for the 2003 Confederations Cup, but did not play.

Four years later, Dracena was called up to play a friendly match against United States and Mexico on 9 and 12 September 2007. He came off the bench in the second half against the U.S., followed by a place in the starting lineup 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
Club	Season	Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Guarani	1999^[23]	Série A	19	0	13^[a]	0	4	0	—		—		36	0
	2000^[24]		16	1	11^[a]	2	1	0	—		—		28	3
	2001^[25]		21	0	10^[a]	0	2	0	—		—		33	0
	2002^[26]		0	0	—		3	1	—		14^[b]	2	17	3
	Total		56	1	34	2	10	1	—		14	2	114	6
Olympiacos	2002–03	Alpha Ethniki	5	0	—		—		5^[c]	0	—		10	0
Cruzeiro	2003	Série A	35	3	3^[d]	1	9	1	2^[e]	1	—		49	6
	2004		32	2	12^[d]	0	—		9^[f]	1	—		53	3
	2005		5	0	13^[d]	1	3	0	—		—		21	1
	2006		17	1	14^[d]	1	6	1	—		—		37	3
	Total		89	6	42	3	18	2	11	2	—		160	13
Fenerbahçe	2006–07	Süper Lig	27	1	—		4	0	8^[g]	0	—		39	1
	2007–08		29	3	—		4	0	12^[c]	0	1^[h]	0	46	3
	2008–09		16	1	—		5	1	8^[c]	0	—		29	2
	Total		72	5	—		13	1	28	0	1	0	114	6
Santos	2009	Série A	2	0	—		—		—		—		2	0
	2010		28	2	16^[a]	0	9	2	2^[e]	0	—		55	4
	2011		27	1	19^[a]	1	—		13^[f]	1	2^[i]	0	61	3
	2012		6	2	13^[a]	4	—		12^[f]	1	—		31	7
	2013		33	2	15^[a]	1	5	0	—		—		53	3
	2014		19	0	0	0	6	0	—		—		25	0
	Total		115	7	63	6	20	2	27	2	2	0	227	17
Corinthians	2015	Série A	16	2	11^[a]	0	1	0	4^[f]	0	—		32	2
Palmeiras	2016	Série A	17	0	4^[a]	0	2	0	2^[f]	0	—		25	0
	2017		25	0	12^[a]	0	4	0	6^[f]	0	—		47	0
	2018		20	2	1^[a]	0	6	0	5^[f]	0	—		32	2
	2019		6	0	9^[a]	0	2	0	0	0	—		17	0
	Total		68	2	26	0	14	0	13	0	—		121	2
Career total			421	23	176	11	76	6	88	4	17	2	778	46

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l Appearance(s) in Campeonato Paulista
^ Appearance(s) in Torneio Rio – São Paulo
^ ^a ^b ^c Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Appearance(s) in Campeonato Mineiro
^ ^a ^b Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup
^ Appearance(s) in Turkish Super Cup
^ Appearance(s) in FIFA Club World Cup

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year^[22]
National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Brazil	2007	2	0
Total		2	0

Honours

Olympiacos

Greek Super League: 2002–03

Cruzeiro

Fenerbahçe

Santos

Corinthians

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2015

Palmeiras

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2016, 2018

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "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.
^ "Matonense 2 X 1 GUARANI" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
^ "Gama 0 X 1 GUARANI" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
^ "América (S. J. R. Preto) 1 X 1 GUARANI" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "Edu Dracena rescinde contrato com Fenerbahçe" [Edu Dracena rescinds contract with Fenerbahçe] (in Portuguese). Trivela. 24 August 2009. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
^ "Santos contrata zagueiro Edu Dracena" [Santos signs stopper Edu Dracena] (in Portuguese). Terra Esportes. 16 September 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
^ "Após renovar até 2015, Edu Dracena lamenta grave lesão" [After renewing until 2015, Edu Dracena laments serious injury]. Placar - O futebol sem barreiras para você (in Brazilian Portuguese). Placar. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
^ "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.
^ "Nota à imprensa" [Announcement to the media] (in Portuguese). Santos FC. 15 January 2015. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "Edu é titular na Seleção" [Edu is a starter in Seleção] (in Portuguese). Fenerbahçe SK. 13 September 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ ^a ^b Edu Dracena at Soccerway. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
^ "1999" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
^ "2000" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
^ "2001" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
^ "2002" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.

External links

Official website (in Portuguese)
Biography at fenerbahce.org
Profile at TFF.org (in Turkish)
Edu Dracena at National-Football-Teams.com

[PAU-24] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l Appearance(s) in Campeonato Paulista

[RSP-28] Appearance(s) in Torneio Rio – São Paulo

[UCL-29] Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League

[MIN-30] Appearance(s) in Campeonato Mineiro

[COS-31] Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana

[COL-32] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores

[UC-33] Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup

[TSC-34] Appearance(s) in Turkish Super Cup

[FCW-35] Appearance(s) in FIFA Club World Cup

[FCWC_2011-1] "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]. Placar - O futebol sem barreiras para você (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. Archived from the original on 22 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.

[SW-22] Edu Dracena at Soccerway. Retrieved 19 January 2022.

[23] "1999" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.

[25] "2000" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.

[26] "2001" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.

[27] "2002" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jogos do Guarani. Retrieved 19 January 2022.

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Key Information

Club career

Guarani

Loan to Olympiacos

Cruzeiro

Fenerbahçe

Santos

Corinthians

Palmeiras

International career

Post-playing career

Career statistics

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Honours

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Personal information
Dracena with Palmeiras in 2016
Full name	Eduardo Luís Abonízio de Souza^[1]
Date of birth	(1981-05-18) 18 May 1981 (age 44)^[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