Emílson Cribari
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Emílson Sánchez Cribari | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | S.S. Lazio | ||
| Number | 25 | ||
Emílson Sánchez Cribari (born 6 March, 1980 in Cambará, Paraná, Brazil) is a Brazilian footballer currently playing for Lazio. He normally plays the role of centre back, and is predominantly left-footed.
Cribari started his career in his home state of Paraná, with Londrina Esporte Clube. From Londrina, he mnoved to Italy where he began his Serie A career with Empoli and Udinese.
Lazio
Cribari joined Lazio in 2005 from Udinese. In his first two seasons, he established himself as a regular in the Biancoceleste defence, and gained a reputation as a quality and uncompromising player. Cribari was a key man in Lazio's successful season in 2006-07, when they achieved a third place finish to qualify for the Champions League.
He fractured his jaw and cheekbone in Lazio's UEFA Champions League clash with Dinamo Bucharest and was ruled initially ruled out for over two months, but managed to return for Lazio's second leg win only two weeks later. However, his recent form since returning from the injury has been poor, and not of the high standards he set during his first seasons at the club.
It's believed that Cribari has agreed a four year contract with English Premier league club Newcastle, in a five million GBP deal. According to the player's agent, Filippo Avanzi, the transfer will be completed on the 11th of July 2008. Avanzi said, "This is a wonderful opportunity for Emílson, it's a dream for him to play in England." He went on to say, "Providing there is no problem with work permit, the transfer should be completed on Friday."
International career
Cribari has never played international football, however he is eligible to play for both Brazil and his adopted country of Italy. Recently it has been speculated that Italy coach Roberto Donadoni was interested in calling Cribari to the Azzurri due to his Italian heritage, but he has refused this option, stating his desire to one day be called up for the Seleçao.
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