Clubs: SE Palmeiras, AC Siena, AS Roma

• Born in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo to a family of Italian immigrants, he spent two seasons with Palmeiras before launching his career in Italy with Siena in 2002, then in Serie B but promoted as champions at the end of his first season.

• Involved in a serious car accident in June 2003 in which his younger brother was killed; despite this he had an impressive first Serie A campaign, scoring eight goals, and moved to Roma on a free transfer in summer 2005.

• Started all 38 Serie A matches in his debut campaign for Roma, scoring eight goals; made 21 UEFA Champions League appearances over the next three seasons, scoring three goals – against FC Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester United FC and Real Madrid CF.

• Won the Coppa Italia in 2007, playing in both legs of the final against FC Internazionale Milano; retained the trophy in 2008 but absent from the one-legged showpiece against Inter.

• Renewed his Roma contract in June 2010 by four years but was injured for much of the following autumn, making just one UEFA Champions League group stage appearance – in a 3-1 home defeat by FC Basel 1893.