Luiz Fabiano eager to stay at Sevilla
Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano has once again stated his desire to stay with the La Liga club, despite reports linking the Brazil international to several other clubs. He has also expressed his hope of winning the Spanish Super Cup and has pledged his future to the Andalucian club.
Fabiano has faced increasing speculation over his future and has been touted for a transfer out of the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan this summer, with clubs such as Manchester United, Milan and Tottenham Hotspur all said to have an interest in the forward. Fabiano was cited as saying he would be keen on a switch to Old Trafford or the San Siro, but refuted those claims and said he has no plans to leave.
He told Sevilla’s radio station that: "During my time at the World Cup [in South Africa] I was very calm because I knew that I was going to stay at Sevilla. Much was said but none of it was true. I couldn't talk because I was with the Brazil team but I have a year left on my contract with Sevilla and I am very happy. I really want to defend once again the Sevilla colours and I would love to help lift a trophy for the club in August." Sevilla lifted the Copa del Rey last season and will take on league winners Barcelona over two legs in the Supercopa de Espana next month.
Fabiano began his career with Ponte Preta in his homeland in 1997, and played just 12 times in three years, scoring three goals. He moved to State Rennes FC in 2000 and endured a disappointing spell there. In his sole season with the French club, he played just 11 times and failed to hit the back of the net. A switch back to Sao Paolo, however, proved much more successful. He had an eventful three years with the Brazilian team, where his strength, lightning-quick pace and eye for goal saw him become a vital part of the squad. He was a key component of the team that reached the semi-finals of the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol’s (CONMEBOL) Copa Santander Libertadores de América) tournament in 2005.
However, his spell with Sao Paolo also saw him labeled as the bad boy of Brazilian football after becoming involved with a number of brawls. During a Copa Sudamerica match in 2003 against River Plate of Argentina, a fight broke out. Fabiano kicked a River player below the neck and, when being led off the pitch, claimed “he would rather fight than take a penalty”. By the time he left Sao Paulo, he had scored an impressive 61 goals in 81 games.
The 29-year-old returned to European football in 2004 with Porto for a reported 10 million Euros. He was reunited with international teammate Diego, but endured a tough season with a return of three goals from 22 matches. This led to his transfer to Sevilla in 2005. After making the switch to the Spanish team, Fabiano enjoyed his most successful spell with a club to date. In his first two seasons with Sevilla, he won the UEFA Cup twice, along with the UEFA Super Cup. His 62 goals in 127 games have also helped the Spanish side to two Copa del Rey triumphs and a Supercopa de Espana victory.
The striker has enjoyed some success at international level as well, lifting the Copa America in 2004 as well as the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009. He was part of Brazil’s 2010 World Cup squad and scored three goals in the tournament before Brazil were dumped out of the competition by Holland in the quarter-finals.
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