Fernando Baiano

João Fernando Nelo (born 18 March 1979 in São Paulo), aka Fernando Baiano, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Al-Wahda FC, as a striker.

He uses the nickname in honour of one of his coaches.

Football career

After five successful seasons in native Brazil with Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, Internacional Porto Alegre and Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, Baiano moved abroad, joining German Bundesliga's VfL Wolfsburg, netting 11 league goals in his sole season, upon which he returned to Brazil, with Associação Desportiva São Caetano.

In January 2005, Baiano moved with La Liga outfit Málaga CF, scoring on nine occasions to help the Andalusia team reach a mid-table final place. During that summer, he left for Real Club Celta de Vigo. In his two seasons there, the Galicia side would participate in the UEFA Cup and be relegated, with Baiano contributing with 28 league goals combined.

Upon Celta's relegation, Baiano signed a three-year contract with Real Murcia, for approximately €5million. After just five league goals during 2007–08, Murcia would finish second from the bottom.

In August 2008, Baiano was loaned to Al-Jazira Club, in the United Arab Emirates. In June of the following year, he moved to another side in the city, Al-Wahda FC, penning a two-year contract for €5million (Dh25.7m) – the player originally requested a three-year deal for €9m.

Emirates club statistics

<br...
Read More