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Revision as of 19:57, 16 May 2005 by Tubbsy (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Eduardo Cesar Daud Gaspar (born May 15, 1978 in Sao Paulo, Brazil), known by the nickname Edu is a Brazilian football player currently playing for Arsenal F.C..
Before joining Arsenal, Edu played in the Campeonato Brasileiro with one of the nation's most storied teams, Corinthians. While at Corinthians, Edu won the 1998 and 1999 Braseleiro championships, and the 2000 World Club Championship
After initially planning to join Arsenal in 2000, his transfer was put on hold after it was realized that he was in possession of a fake Portuguese passport. Months later, after qualifying for an EU passport (aided by European lineage on his father's side), he signed for Arsenal F.C. on January 16 2001 for 6 million pounds.
His Arsenal debut in 2001, a goalless draw tarnished by an injury after 15 minutes against Leicester City F.C. was an unfortunate start, and he only managed to play in four more matches for the club during that season.
Many people believe that he was unlucky, a year later, in not being selected to play in the 2002 Football World Cup for Brazil, but during the overlapping 2001/02 and 2002/03 seasons, he aided Arsenal to great heights.
Seen as his finest season so far in football, his 2003/04 season in midfield for Arsenal was capped by one of five goals against Italian Serie A side Inter Milan in a 5-1 Arsenal victory.
Edu then put forward plans to wish to play for England in the World Cup were Brazil not willing to accept his placement. This was cancelled by April as he was handed a match against Chile and subsequently named to play in the Copa América in 2004.
He made his hundredth appearance for Arsenal during the 2003/04 season and, having once looked like a permanent member of the club, it now looks like he is going to move before the end of January.
2004/05 has been a very interrupted season for Edu at Arsenal. He missed the start of the season because he was away with Brazil at the Copa América, and then he struggled to claim a place in the team because of the wonderful form of teenage-sensation Cesc Fabregas. Following that Edu began to argue with Arsenal over his contract and then went into a long period of 'will he or won't he?' over his future.
Talks with Valencia of Spain failed as the Mestalla outfit were not able to pay the fee Arsenal were asking for a move in January, so it remains to be seen what will happen to Edu for the remainding part of the 2004/05 season at Arsenal.
In May 2005 Edu confirmed Arsenal's worse fears he confirmed he will be departing in the summer. Valencia, Juventus, Inter Milan and Barcelona are hot favourites to secure the signature of Edu.
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