Silvinho

Sylvinho (full name Sylvio Mendes Campos Junior, sometimes alternatively spelt as Silvinho, born April 12, 1974 in São Paulo) is a Brazilian football (soccer) player, who currently plays for FC Barcelona of the Spain La Liga. He usually plays on the left, either as defender (football) or defender (football). He is an attacking full back/wing back who is known for overlapping.

He started his career at Sport Club Corinthians Paulista from 1994 until 1999. In 1999 he became the first ever Brazilian player to sign for England club Arsenal F.C.. Before long he was first choice at left back displacing long-time fan-favourite Nigel Winterburn. His stay only lasted for two years but in his short spell there he gained many friends and admirers and scored several spectacular goals including ones against Sheffield Wednesday and Chelsea. During his second season at the club he himself was displaced by Ashley Cole.

In 2001 he moved to Celta de Vigo and played there for three years. In 2004, after a transfer fee of €2 million, he was signed by his current club, FC Barcelona, where he won two domestic leagues in 2005 and 2006, as well as the 2006 Champions League. He is amongst many players who have switched between FC Barcelona and Arsenal F.C, like Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Marc Overmars, Cesc Fabregas, Fran Merida, Alexander Hleb, and Thierry Henry. After a series of good performances in 2008, he was given an extension and will remain a Barcelona player until 2009.

Although he is a Brazil national football team who has won six cap (football) for his country, Sylvinho has a Spain passport, granted to him in 2004 after completing three years' residency in Spain. This allows him to bypass the non-European Union player restrictions in La Liga.