Kléberson

Kléberson, stage name of José Kléberson Pereira, was born on June 19, 1979, in Uraí, in the interior of Paraná. A skillful midfielder with good passing ability, he made his name at Atlético Paranaense in the late 1990s, where he became a key player for the Brazilian champions in 2001. His major moment of international projection came at the 2002 World Cup, in South Korea and Japan, when coach Luiz Felipe Scolari promoted him to the starting lineup from the quarterfinals onwards. Kléberson was one of the highlights of the five-time championship campaign, actively participating in the construction of Ronaldo's second goal in the final against Germany. The successful World Cup caught the attention of Manchester United, who signed him in August 2003 for £6.5 million, making him the first Brazilian to wear the English club's shirt. An injury in his second match, however, limited his adaptation, and Kléberson made 20 appearances in the Premier League over two seasons. After spells at Beşiktaş, in Turkey, where he won two Turkish Cups, Kléberson returned to Brazilian football in 2007 to play for Flamengo, the club through which he became Brazilian champion in 2009. He ended his career in the United States, playing for MLS clubs.