Clubs: Joinville EC, FC Twente

• Raised in Sao Paulo, Douglas began his career with lower-league club Joinville and made 14 Série C appearances before he went to Europe for trials.

• He sufficiently impressed coaching staff at Twente to be handed a three-year contract and made his Eredivisie debut as a late substitute in a 2-1 win at SC Heerenveen on 22 December 2007, his first start coming two months later.

• Became a regular in central defence under new coach Steve McClaren in 2008/09, making 28 Eredivisie appearances as Twente finished runners-up in the league and Dutch Cup.

• Started 31 of Twente's 34 matches in their subsequent Eredivisie title triumph under McClaren, scoring two goals including one in a 1-1 draw against PSV Eindhoven.

• Won the 2010 Dutch Super Cup with Twente and made his debut in the UEFA Champions League in a 2-2 draw at home to holders FC Internazionale Milano that was also the club's bow.