Cléo
Cléo with Guangzhou Evergrande in 2012
Personal information
Full name Cléverson Gabriel Córdova
Date of birth (1985-08-09) 9 August 1985
Place of birth Guarapuava, Brazil
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
Batel
Comercial-PR
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2005 Olivais e Moscavide 13 (7)
2005–2006 Atlético Paranaense 5 (1)
2005 → Figueirense (loan) 2 (0)
2006–2009 Olivais e Moscavide 61 (19)
2008–2009 → Red Star Belgrade (loan) 20 (8)
2009–2011 Partizan 41 (22)
2011–2014 Guangzhou Evergrande 38 (17)
2013 → Kashiwa Reysol (loan) 27 (9)
2014–2015 Atlético Paranaense 28 (9)
2016 Goiás 8 (1)
2017–2018 Cova da Piedade 23 (11)
2018–2020 Qingdao Huanghai 44 (25)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 December 2020

Cléverson Gabriel Córdova (born 9 August 1985), commonly known as Cléo, is a former Brazilian professional footballer who played as a striker. He also holds Serbian citizenship.[1]

While playing on three different continents, Cléo scored at least once in the major club international competitions, in the Copa Libertadores for Atlético Paranaense, in the UEFA Champions League for Partizan, and in the AFC Champions League for two clubs, Guangzhou Evergrande and Kashiwa Reysol.

Club career

Early career

Born in Guarapuava, Cléo started out with local club Batel, before joining Comercial-PR. He was later spotted by Olivais e Moscavide, which brought him to Portugal in the summer of 2004. Six months later, Cléo returned to Brazil and signed for Atlético Paranaense, playing with them in the 2005 and 2006 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. He also made three appearances in the 2005 Copa Libertadores, scoring once against Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño.[2] Meanwhile, Cléo spent some time on loan at Ferroviária and Figueirense in 2005.[3][4] In the summer of 2006, Cléo returned to Olivais e Moscavide,[5] staying there for the next two seasons.

In August 2008, Cléo moved to Serbian club Red Star Belgrade,[6] on a one-year loan with a view to a permanent move. He was given the number 17 shirt. During a turbulent period for the club, Cléo managed to score 12 goals in 24 appearances (league and cup) that season. He eventually left Red Star after the club was not able to pay a transfer fee of €800,000.[7]

Partizan

2009–10 season

On 19 June 2009, Cléo signed a four-year contract with Partizan, becoming the first player to join the club from arch-rivals Red Star in more than 20 years (the last was Goran Milojević in 1988).[8] He scored on his official debut for Partizan on 14 July and helped his team to a 4–0 away win over Welsh champions Rhyl in the first match of the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round. Seven days later, Cléo netted a hat-trick in the return leg, opening his tally in an 8–0 victory with a bicycle kick.[9] He also scored from a penalty in a 1–1 home draw with Slovak side MŠK Žilina in the first leg of the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League play-off round. On 28 November, Cléo scored a goal against his former club to help Partizan beat Red Star 2–1.[10] He appeared regularly in the second part of the 2009–10 Serbian SuperLiga, adding nine goals in 14 games, and helped Partizan clinch their third consecutive title. In total, Cléo was the club's top scorer with 22 goals in all competitions, one more than Senegalese striker Lamine Diarra, who left the club at the end of the season.

2010–11 season

On 14 July 2010, Cléo opened the season by scoring the third goal in his team's 3–1 victory over Armenian champions Pyunik in the first leg of the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.[11] A week later in Yerevan in the second meeting, Cléo scored a goal from the edge of the penalty area in the fifth minute of injury time in the first half, thus leading his team to the next round with a total score of 4–1 on aggregate.[12] In the first match of the third qualifying round, Cléo scored in the 90th minute for his team's 3–0 win against Finland's HJK.[13] Subsequently, Cléo netted both goals in the team's 2–1 return leg victory.[14] He also scored a goal in the first round of the 2010–11 Serbian SuperLiga against Inđija at home, thus continued his series of goals. On 18 August, in the play-off round first leg against Anderlecht, a game which ended 2–2, Cléo scored his seventh goal in six matches.[15] Six days later, on 24 August, Cléo scored twice against Anderlecht in the return tie, bringing his tally to nine goals in seven matches in the season. He was also accurate in the penalty shoot-out, and so helped Partizan reach the Champions League for the first time in seven years.[16] On 4 September, Cléo scored his 10th goal in the season with an overhead bicycle kick in the match against Hajduk Kula.[17] On 28 September, in the second round of the Champions League group stage, Cléo completed one of two penalties in a 3–1 defeat versus Arsenal.[18] On 8 December, again in a match against Arsenal, Cléo scored an equalizer at Emirates Stadium, however Partizan lost the game 3–1.[19] He was voted as the club's Player of the Year in 2010 by the fans.[20]

Guangzhou Evergrande

2011 season

On 12 February 2011, Cléo completed his move to Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande, signing a four-year deal.[21] At the time, this move set a new record of Chinese football with €3.2 million ($4.5 million) transfer fee.[22] He made his league debut for Guangzhou against Dalian Shide on 2 April and scored the winning goal in the match. Cléo started the season by scoring five goals in his first five league appearances. However, Cléo suffered a muscular strain in leg during a FA Cup match against Guizhou Zhicheng on 4 May, ruling him out for two months.[23] On 26 June, after recovering from injury, Cléo entered from the bench at the half and scored a penalty in the 60th minute against Jiangsu Sainty.[24] He scored another four goals in the next four matches, but the recurrence of a leg strain in a match against Nanchang Hengyuan on 14 July ruled him out for a further two months.[25] Cléo returned to training in late August but got injured again in early September.[26] The lingering injury kept him out of the field for the second half of the year. He managed to score 10 times in 10 appearances during the 2011 league season.

2012 season

After the end of the 2011 season, it was reported that Guangzhou had decided to give up Cléo for his lingering injury.[27] He was linked with France's Ligue 1 side Marseille and another Super League club Guizhou Renhe.[28] However, Cléo eventually stayed in Guangzhou for the 2012 season.

On 25 February 2012, Cléo scored both goals for Guangzhou in the 2012 Chinese FA Super Cup, a 2–1 victory over Tianjin Teda, which ensured Guangzhou win this trophy for the first time in the club's history. He continued his goalscoring form into the AFC Champions League, netting a brace in the first match of the group stage, as Guangzhou trashed K League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 5–1 on 7 March.[29] On 15 May, during Guangzhou's last group stage match of the Champions League against Buriram United, Cléo earned a penalty in the 90th minute, which Darío Conca converted into the winning goal. Guangzhou beat Buriram United 2–1 and sealed a place in the knockout phase for the Chinese Super League side.[30] On 30 May, Cléo scored the winning goal during the round of 16 in the AFC Champions League, as Guangzhou beat J1 League side FC Tokyo 1–0 and became the first Chinese club to reach the quarter-finals of the competition since 2006.[31] Although scoring four goals in seven matches, Cléo was replaced by newcomer Lucas Barrios in the 30-man squad which was submitted for the next stage of the Champions League. On 18 August, in an interview after a league match against Changchun Yatai, in which Cléo scored a goal and made an assist to help Guangzhou to a 2–1 win, Cléo stated his disappointment with the club's decision to exclude him from the Champions League squad and would seek a transfer at the end of the season.[32] Cléo played as a regular starter in the domestic competitions and helped Guangzhou Evergrande win their second Super League championship and first FA Cup title.

Loan to Kashiwa Reysol

On 25 January 2013, Cléo moved to Japanese club Kashiwa Reysol on a one-year loan deal.[33] He made 27 appearances and scored nine goals in the 2013 J.League Division 1. In November, Cléo was diagnosed with appendicitis and his loan spell was cut short by the Japanese club.[34] He then returned to Guangzhou Evergrande and was released in early 2014.[35]

Return to Atlético Paranaense

After leaving Asia, Cléo returned to his homeland and started training with his former club Atlético Paranaense in May 2014.[36] He signed a permanent contract shortly after.[37] On 29 May, Cléo made his second debut for the club in a 2–2 home draw with São Paulo. He stepped on the pitch in the 77th minute and managed to score little more than 10 minutes later with a volley kick.[38] Throughout the 2014 Brasileirão, Cléo appeared in 20 games and scored nine times, making him the team's highest scorer that year.

Later career

On 29 February 2016, Cléo signed a contract with Série B club Goiás,[39] being officially presented two days later.[40] He scored a hat-trick in his team's 5–3 success against Trindade, helping the side win the Campeonato Goiano the same year.

In August 2017, Cléo returned to Portugal and signed with newly promoted LigaPro club Cova da Piedade on a one-year deal.[41] He was the team's top scorer in the 2017–18 season with 12 goals in all competitions.

In July 2018, Cléo signed with China League One club Qingdao Huanghai, returning to Chinese football after six years.[42] He was the team's top scorer over the next two seasons, helping them win the 2019 China League One and get promotion to the Chinese Super League for the first time in history.

International career

In August 2010, Cléo expressed his desire to play for the Serbia national team.[43] He applied for Serbian citizenship the following month after meeting with Ivica Dačić, the Minister of Internal Affairs.[44] On 23 September 2010, Cléo became a citizen of Serbia.[45]

However, Cléo never received a call-up for the Serbia national team, failing to satisfy a 5-year residency requirement.[46]

Statistics

As of 1 December 2020[47]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Olivais e Moscavide 2004–05 1371000——147
Atlético Paranaense 2005 5100—310082
2006 0010—006[lower-alpha 1]070
Total 5110—3160152
Figueirense (loan) 2005 2000——0020
Olivais e Moscavide 2006–07 2632100——284
2007–08 35161000——3616
Total 61193100——6420
Red Star Belgrade (loan) 2008–09 20844—00—2412
Partizan 2009–10 271442—96—4022
2010–11 14812—1210—2720
Total 412254—2116—6742
Guangzhou Evergrande 2011 101010———1110
2012 28741—741[lower-alpha 2]24014
Total 381751—74125124
Kashiwa Reysol (loan) 2013 27923501121[lower-alpha 3]04614
Atlético Paranaense 2014 20920—0000229
2015 8000—106[lower-alpha 1]2152
Total 28920—10623711
Goiás 2016 8120——7[lower-alpha 4]3174
Cova da Piedade 2017–18 23111110——2512
Qingdao Huanghai 2018 151100———1511
2019 241400———2414
2020 5011———61
Total 442511———4526
Career total 3101292715604323217407174

Honours

Club

Partizan[47]
Guangzhou Evergrande[47]
Kashiwa Reysol[47]
Goiás[47]
Qingdao Huanghai[47]

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Serbia grants citizenship to Cleo". supersport.com. 23 September 2010. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "Gol foi prêmio para o atacante Cléo" (in Portuguese). furacao.com. 20 May 2005. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "Atlético manda quatro para a Ferroviária" (in Portuguese). furacao.com. 18 March 2005. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  4. ↑ "Cléo e Rodrigo Souto podem ir para o Figueirense" (in Portuguese). furacao.com. 11 August 2005. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  5. ↑ "Atacante Cléo retorna ao Olivais e Moscavide" (in Portuguese). furacao.com. 16 September 2006. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  6. ↑ "Kleo novo pojačanje Zvezde" (in Serbian). b92.net. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  7. ↑ "Zvezda me se odrekla" (in Serbian). politika.rs. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  8. ↑ "Kleo u crno-belom" (in Serbian). blic.rs. 19 June 2009. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  9. ↑ "Silna pobeda i silan podstrek za ono što sledi!" (in Serbian). partizan.rs. 21 July 2009. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  10. ↑ "Dijara i Kleo za minus jedan" (in Serbian). b92.net. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  11. ↑ "Profligate Partizan survive Pyunik test". uefa.com. 14 July 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  12. ↑ "Cléo completes the job for Partizan". uefa.com. 21 July 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  13. ↑ "Partizan leave HJK on the brink". uefa.com. 28 July 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  14. ↑ "Partizan confirm play-off place". uefa.com. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  15. ↑ "Honours even for Partizan and Anderlecht". uefa.com. 18 August 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  16. ↑ "Spot-on Partizan keep their composure". uefa.com. 24 August 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  17. ↑ "Zaseli na mesto koje im pripada" (in Serbian). partizan.rs. 4 September 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2010.
  18. ↑ "Late goals earn Arsenal the points at Partizan". uefa.com. 28 September 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  19. ↑ "Walcott settles Arsenal nerves to seal passage". uefa.com. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
  20. ↑ "Kleo najbolji u 2010. godini" (in Serbian). partizan.rs. 27 December 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  21. ↑ "Cleo signed". partizan.rs. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  22. ↑ "Foreign players, coaches flock to join the CSL". China Daily. 1 April 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  23. ↑ 克莱奥杨昊伤停缺战深足 欧冠锋霸恢复恐需三周 (in Chinese). sports.163.com. 7 May 2011. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  24. ↑ "Kleo opet u metu (video)" (in Serbian). srpskifudbal.rs. 26 June 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  25. ↑ 克莱奥回巴西治疗肌肉拉伤 恢复顺利将过招鲁能 (in Chinese). sports.sohu.com. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  26. ↑ 面对强敌克莱奥再次受伤 李章洙称不会轻易换将 (in Chinese). sports.sohu.com. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  27. ↑ "China isn't big enough". China Daily. 6 November 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  28. ↑ "Cleo proposé à Marseille" (in French). footransferts.com. 8 November 2011. Archived from the original on 11 December 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  29. ↑ "Jeonbuk Motors 1–5 Guangzhou Evergrande". the-afc.com. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  30. ↑ "Buriram United 1–2 Guangzhou Evergrande". the-afc.com. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  31. ↑ "Guangzhou Evergrande 1–0 FC Tokyo". the-afc.com. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  32. ↑ 体坛专访克莱奥：年底转会 未来留中超也可以 (in Chinese). sports.qq.com. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  33. ↑ クレオ選手が期限付き移籍加入 (in Japanese). blog.reysol.co.jp. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  34. ↑ クレオ選手 期限付き移籍契約終了のお知らせ (in Japanese). blog.reysol.co.jp. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  35. ↑ 恒大前国门离队转战中甲 另一年轻锋将同加盟 (in Chinese). sports.qq.com. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  36. ↑ "Cléo treina com grupo do Atlético-PR, mas aguarda definição sobre futuro" (in Portuguese). globoesporte.globo.com. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  37. ↑ "Atlético-PR confirma contratação do atacante Cléo, que estava no Japão" (in Portuguese). globoesporte.globo.com. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  38. ↑ "Com dois gols no fim, Atlético-PR e São Paulo empatam em Uberlândia" (in Portuguese). globoesporte.globo.com. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  39. ↑ "Goiás assina contrato com atacante Cléo" (in Portuguese). opopular.com.br. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  40. ↑ "Atacante Cléo é oficialmente apresentado no Verdão" (in Portuguese). goiasec.com.br. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  41. ↑ "Cléo chegou finalmente ao Cova da Piedade" (in Portuguese). ojogo.pt. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  42. ↑ "Ex-Goiás e Atlético-PR, Cléo é anunciado pelo Qingdao Huanghai, da China" (in Portuguese). planetabrazuka.com. 14 July 2018. Archived from the original on 16 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  43. ↑ "Kleo: Voleo bih da igram za Srbiju!" (in Serbian). reprezentacija.rs. 21 August 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2010.
  44. ↑ "Kleo kod Dačića, čeka se državljanstvo" (in Serbian). blic.rs. 4 September 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2010.
  45. ↑ "Kleo dobio državljanstvo Srbije" (in Serbian). blic.rs. 23 September 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  46. ↑ "FIFA: Kleo ne može da igra za Srbiju" (in Serbian). reprezentacija.rs. 24 September 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  47. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cléo at Soccerway
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