The Brazilians are coming

By Paul Saffer

It was the English who brought football to Brazil, and during the South Americans' many wins over the sport's inventors, not least in the 1970 and 2002 FIFA World Cups, they may have had cause to regret doing so. But now they are taking something back.

Kleberson signing
With the departure of David Beckham to Real Madrid CF, Manchester United FC turned to Kleberson. United also have a relationship with São Paulo FC, while Bolton Wanderers FC secured a deal for striker Mário Jardel last week, and several more Brazilians were targeted by Premiership teams over the summer.

The pioneer
However, the record of players from the world's most successful football nation in the oldest professional league in the world are mixed. Indeed, it was not until the Football League's centenary season of 1987/88 that it boasted its first Brazilian - Newcastle United FC's Mirandinha.

Massive expectations
Signed from SE Palmeiras after a stunning friendly performance for Brazil against England, the forward met massive expectations at the underachieving Tyneside club. But he made an immediate impact with a double against Manchester United FC in a 2-2 draw and in his first season scored eleven goals and helped the previously struggling team into eighth place.

Relegation slump
But by his second season, injuries were restricting his progress and, despite scoring nine goals, Newcastle finished bottom and Mirandinha was soon to leave England, having never made the impression his skills deserved.

Middlesbrough trio
Perhaps his experience, combined with restrictions on non-EU qualified players, prevented a Brazilian influx similar to that elsewhere in Europe. Ironically, though, it was Newcastle's local rivals Middlesbrough FC who began to buck the trend under Bryan Robson in the mid-1990s.

Passionate Juninho
The first and most successful was Juninho. Arriving in 1995 for €6.4m from São Paulo, his first two-year spell saw him write his name into club legend with a string of skilful - and passionate - performances.

Fans' favourite
Even as the side slumped towards relegation in his second season, Juninho remained worshipped by the fans, and his subsequent departure left him heartbroken. He was to return twice, first for the 1999/00 season and again in 2002 - saying the second time: "It is like I am coming home." Even long recent spells injured have not dented his reputation.

Branco disappointment
Unfortunately, two compatriots who joined him in 1996 had little of the same effect. The fanfare was considerable when Branco, a 1994 FIFA World Cup winner, joined Middlesbrough. Seven months and four appearances later he was gone, his stay a clear disappointment.

Hero and villain
Emerson, who came the same year, veered between hero and villain. On his day the dreadlocked attacker scored stunning goals, but also gained a reputation for anonymous performances, made an unscheduled trip home to tend for his ill mother, and did not stay long after relegation.

Arsenal successes
It is another club, though, that proved the happiest home for Brazilians in England - Arsenal FC. Silvinho signed in 1999, and had two successful years as a left-back before Ashley Cole's emergence cost him his place. In his wake came Edu in 2001 and World Cup victory Gilberto Silva a season later, both scoring vital goals against arch-rivals Manchester United FC last term - Gilberto in the FA Community Shield, Edu in the FA Cup.

New era
No doubt that helped sway United in the direction of Kleberson and attempted target Ronaldinho. Brazilians may remain underrepresented in England compared to Spain or Portugal, but the days when the likes of Mirandinha attracted a mixture of awe and suspicion are long gone.