Fábio Rochemback

Fábio Rochemback (born December 10, 1981 in Soledade) is a Brazilian professional football (soccer) player who currently plays for Sporting Clube de Portugal.

Club career

He is a versatile midfielder who can play in front of the defence, as an attacking midfielder, or even as a winger (sport). He previously played for Sport Club Internacional, FC Barcelona and Sporting Clube de Portugal before joining Middlesbrough F.C. in August 2005. He was Portugal's player of the year in 2003.

Rochemback made his Middlesbrough debut in a 2-1 win over Arsenal F.C. and scored his first goal for Middlesbrough in a 3-0 victory against Chelsea F.C. on February 11, 2006. His first FA Cup goal for Middlesbrough came direct from a free kick, in a 4-2 victory over Charlton in a quarter final replay on April 11 2006. Fábio Rochemback also played an important role in Middlesbrough's run to UEFA Cup Final in 2006, including a man of the match performance against Basel in the quarter final, 2nd leg 4-1 victory(4-3 on aggregate).

His transfer from Sporting Clube de Portugal to Middlesbrough F.C. in August 2005 is one of those about which the 2006 allegations of corruption in English football Stevens_report report in June 2007 expressed concerns because of the lack of co-operation from agents Pinhas Zahavi and Barry Silkman. Rochemback scored an extraordinary free kick in the last match of Premier League 2007-08 against Manchester City, which Boro won 8-1.

It was announced on 13 May 2008 that Fábio Rochemback had been released from his club Middlesbrough F.C.. The Brazilian international is departing Middlesbrough F.C. after they rejected the chance to take up a two-year option they had on the midfielder. On 13 May 2008, Sporting CP announced a three year contract with Fábio Rochemback.

Honours

- 2005 Uefa Cup Runner-Up
- 2006 UEFA Cup Runner-Up
Goal of the Month (England) May 2008- MIDDLESBROUGH v Man City