Élber Giovane

Infobox Football biography
playername = Élber


fullname = Élber Giovane de Souza
height = Height|m=1.82
nickname = Il Giòvane Elber ("The Young Elber")
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1972|7|23
cityofbirth = Londrina
countryofbirth = Brazil
currentclub = Retired
position = Striker
youthyears = 1989–91
youthclubs = Londrina
years = 1990-1991 1991-1994 1994-1997 1997-2003 2003-2005 2005 2006
clubs = AC Milan Grasshopper Stuttgart Bayern München Lyon Borussia Mönchengladbach Cruzeiro Total
caps(goals) = 000 00(0) 069 0(41) 087 0(41) 169 0(92) 030 0(11) 004 00(0) 021 00(5) 380 (190)
nationalyears = 1998-2001
nationalteam = Brazil
nationalcaps(goals) = 015 00(7)
pcupdate =
ntupdate =

Élber Giovane de Souza known as Élber Giovane or just Élber (born July 23, 1972 in Londrina, Brazil) is a retired football (soccer) striker. Elber is mostly referred to as "Giováne Elber" (sometimes also mistakenly as "Giovanni Elber"), which is a German variation of his Italian nickname "il giòvane Elber" ("the young Elber"). Giovane Elber has also proved himself to be one of the best strikers in Europe, scoring consistently over a number of years. He is not just an accomplished finisher, but boasts quick feet and an eye for a pass too. Elber scored more goals in the Bundesliga than any other foreign player. He is currently a scout for Bayern Munich and searches Brazil for young talents. One notable player that he brought to Bayern Munich is 18-year old Brazilian Breno.

Elber has appeared 15 times for the Brazilian national team, scoring seven goals.

Football career

Elber signed by A.C. Milan in 1990, appearing in one match in Coppa Italia. He then went on to spend seasons on loan to Grasshopper-Club Zürich where he had an extraordinary spell. Elber later experienced the height of his career, when he played from 1994-2003 for VfB Stuttgart and FC Bayern Munich, winning himself over 200 appearances and over 100 goals combined for the German clubs. Some of his bigger achievements include the UEFA Champions League 2000-01 and the 2001 Intercontinental Cup. He also won the kicker Torjägerkanone Award in 2003 along with Thomas Christiansen for being the top scorer in Germany and he is also the Bundesligas top foreign scorer of all time. In this time period he also played 15 matches for Brazil along with seven goals. He later went on to play quick spells at Lyon and Mönchengladbach. In 2005/2006 he was transferred back home to Brazilian side Cruzeiro E.C.. At Cruzeiro he added 40 appearances to his record and 18 goals. After an emotional announcement he retired from the club three rounds before the end of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 9 September 2006, after injuries and the loss of his father.

Honours

*German Champion: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003
*French Champion: 2004, 2005
*Swiss Cup: 1994
*German Cup: 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003
*French Super Cup: 2004
*Champions League: 2001
*Intercontinental Cup: 2001
*Campeonato Mineiro: 2006

Individual

*kicker Torjägerkanone Award: 2003 season top scorer (21) (shared with Thomas Christiansen)
*German Championship: All time foreign top scorer (133)

External links

*pt icon [http://200.159.15.35/registro/registro.aspx?s=108734 CBF record]
* [http://www.sambafoot.com/en/players/100_Elber.html Profile at Sambafoot]