Célio Ferreira dos Santos
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Célio Ferreira dos Santos | ||
| Date of birth | 20 July 1987 | ||
| Place of birth | Paracatu, Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Ulsan Hyundai | ||
| Number | 29 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2004–2005 | URT-MG | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2006 | Ferroviário AC | ||
| 2006–2008 | AA Ponte Preta | ||
| 2009 | Cascavel CR | ||
| 2009 | → AA Ponte Preta (loan) | ||
| 2009–2010 | Shaanxi Zhongjian Chanba | 6 | (0) |
| 2010–2011 | Belenenses | 17 | (0) |
| 2011–2012 | Dacia Chișinău | 27 | (3) |
| 2012–2014 | Tavriya Simferopol | 26 | (1) |
| 2015 | Tractor Sazi | 9 | (1) |
| 2015 | Al-Shaab CSC | 16 | (0) |
| 2016 | Avaí | 12 | (0) |
| 2016– | Ulsan Hyundai | 10 | (1) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Célio Ferreira Santos, better known as Célio Santos, or simply Célio (Paracatu, July 20, 1987) is a footballer Brazilian-born and Timorese-nation who plays as a defender. Currently plays for Ulsan Hyundai.[1]
Eligibility Controversy
An inquiry held by the Prime Minister of East Timor in 2016 heard that Celio Santos was one of seven Brazilian footballers to receive falsified baptism documents from Timor's Catholic Church, in order to make it appear he was eligible for Timorese nationality.[2]
All seven players were based in Asia at the time, but only one, Juninho, has played for Timor's controversial national side.
It is unclear when Celio Santos received his Timorese passport, which he received despite having no known means of eligibility, such as a family connection, or residency.[3]
Despite his impressive playing career, he has never been selected for the Timorese national side.