Sylvinho

Football player infobox
playername = Sylvinho


fullname = Sylvio Mendes Campos Júnior
height = height|m=1.73
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1974|4|12
cityofbirth = São Paulo
countryofbirth = Brazil
currentclub = FC Barcelona
clubnumber = 16
position = left wing back
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1994–1999
1999–2001
2001–2004
2004–
clubs = Corinthians
Arsenal
Celta Vigo
FC Barcelona
caps(goals) = 45 (0)
55 (3)
84 (1)
71 (2) [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=8032&cc=5901 ESPN] (Last updated: 26 Jun 2007)]
nationalyears = 2000–2001
nationalteam = Brazil
nationalcaps(goals) = 6 (0)
pcupdate = 26/11/2006
ntupdate = 26/11/2006

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

He started his career at Corinthians from 1994 until 1999. In 1999 he became the first ever Brazilian player to sign for English club Arsenal. 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 [http://www.footballdatabase.com/index.php?page=player&Id=1077&pn=Sylvio_Mendes_Campos_J%C3%BAnior www.footballdatabase.com] ] , 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 Brazilian international who has won six caps for his country, Sylvinho has a Spanish passport, granted to him in 2004 after completing three years' residency in Spain. This allows him to bypass the non-EU player restrictions in La Liga.

References

External links

* [http://www.penyaunionblaugrana.co.uk Sylvinho at Official FC Barcelona UK Penya]