José Kléberson

Infobox Football biography
playername = Kléberson


fullname = José Kléberson Pereira
height = convert|1.76|m|ftin|abbr=on
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1979|6|19|df=y
cityofbirth = Uraí
countryofbirth = Brazil
currentclub = Flamengo
clubnumber = 15
position = Defensive midfielder
youthclubs =
years = 1998–2003
2003–2005
2005–2007
2008–
clubs = Atlético Paranaense
Manchester United
Beşiktaş
Flamengo
caps(goals) = 94 (12)
25 0(2)
42 0(3)
29 0(4)
nationalyears = 2002–2004
nationalteam = Brazil
nationalcaps(goals) = 29 0(2)
ntupdate = 11:35, 8 October 2008 (UTC)
pcupdate = 11:35, 8 October 2008 (UTC)

José Kléberson Pereira (born 19 June 1979 in Uraí) is a Brazilian football player. He plays for Flamengo

Club career

Kléberson was born in the southern Brazilian State of Paraná and grew up in the provincial town of Urai.

Atlético Paranaense

He began his football career with Clube Atlético Paranaense. While at Atlético Paranaense Kleberson won the Parana state championship in 2000 and 2001, and the Brazilian league title in 2001. His performances for Atlético Paranaense led to Luis Felipe Scolari bringing him into the Brazilian national team.

Manchester United

His World Cup performances led to Scolari declaring Kléberson the driving force behind Brazil's Cup winning side, and drew interest from several English and Scottish teams.Newcastle, Leeds and Celtic all expressed an interest. Leeds failed to secure the signing after Kléberson decided against leaving Brazil without his girlfriend, who he was unable to marry until her 16th birthday. Eventually it was Manchester United who signed Kléberson for a fee of £6.5m. Seen as a replacement for Juan Sebastián Verón, Kléberson was injured in his second appearance for the club and made only 28 for the club in total. During his time at United he also lost his place in the Brazilian national team.

Manchester United career statistics

:"(Correct as of 4 September 2008)""according to combined sources on the [ [http://www.flamengo.com.br Flamengo official website] ] ."

International career

His first appearance was a friendly match against Bolivia in which he scored. However, he was relegated to the substitutes bench for the group stages of Brazil's 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign. He was brought into the starting line-up for Brazil's game against England, with Scolari feeling his tenacity would help counter the high work-rate of the English side. His tackle on his future team-mate Paul Scholes led to Brazil's equaliser, and he featured regularly in the rest of the tournament. Brazil defeated Germany in the final, with Kléberson setting up one of the two Brazilian goals.

Honours

Club

*flagicon|BRA Atlético Paranaense
**Paraná State League: 2000, 2001, 2002 (Superchampionship)
**Brazilian Championship: 2001
*flagicon|ENG "'Manchester United
**FA Community Shield: 2003
**FA Cup: 2004
*flagicon|TUR Besiktas J.K.
**Turkish Cup: 2006
*flagicon|BRA Flamengo
**Taça Guanabara: 2008
**Rio State League: 2008

National team

*flagicon|BRA Brazil
**FIFA World Cup: 2002
**Copa América: 2004

Contract

Flamengo 26th september 2007 to 31st december 2008 [ [http://200.159.15.35/registro/registro.aspx?s=139591 CBF] ]

References

External links

* [http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/esporte/ult92u439905.shtml Kléberson evita derrota do Flamengo para o Fluminense] pt icon