Wellington Silva (footballer, born 1993)

Wellington Alves da Silva (born 6 January 1993) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Saudi First Division League club Al-Najma.

Wellington Silva
Personal information
Full name Wellington Alves da Silva
Date of birth (1993-01-06) 6 January 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
Al-Najma
Number 37
Youth career
0000–2004 Portuguesa-RJ
2004–2010 Fluminense
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Fluminense 11 (1)
2010–2016 Arsenal 0 (0)
2011Levante (loan) 2 (0)
2011–2012Alcoyano (loan) 16 (3)
2012–2013Ponferradina (loan) 20 (3)
2013–2014Murcia (loan) 36 (2)
2014–2015Almería (loan) 31 (0)
2015–2016Bolton Wanderers (loan) 22 (2)
2016–2021 Fluminense 79 (14)
2018–2020Internacional (loan) 45 (2)
2021–2022 Gamba Osaka 33 (1)
2023–2024 Cuiabá 29 (1)
2024– Al-Najma 0 (0)
International career
2008–2009 Brazil U17 11 (0)
2014–2015 Brazil U21 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 November 2022, 18:40 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 December 2014, 00:00 (UTC)

Club career edit

Early career at Fluminense edit

Silva joined Fluminense's youth setup in 2004, from neighbours Portuguesa. In December 2008 he was invited to a trial period at Arsenal, and scored four goals in a single match against Norwich with the Academy side. He returned to Brazil, however, and was assigned back to the youth setup at Flu.

On 31 December 2009, Silva agreed a deal with Arsenal,[1] for a £3.5 million fee. The deal was delayed until 2011 due to his age.[2]

On 28 February 2010, Silva made his senior debut for Fluminense, starting and scoring the second of a 5–1 home routing over Friburguense for the Campeonato Carioca championship;[3] his Série A debut came on 9 May, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–0 loss at Ceará.[4] In October, Silva was widely criticised by coach Muricy Ramalho, after his complaints due to the lack of opportunities,[5] and subsequently appeared rarely after the disruption with his manager.

Arsenal edit

On 31 January 2010, Silva signed for Arsenal, and featured in a reserves match against Manchester United on 19 August 2010. He played the whole 90 minutes and scored, cutting in from the right to hit the back of the net.[6] He played in a closed-doors friendly for Arsenal in January 2010 against Dagenham and Redbridge,[7] scoring a brace and setting up a third, being replaced after 70 minutes.

On 9 December 2010, it was announced that the FA had backtracked on its initial decision to award Silva his "Special Talent Visa". The next day, it was announced on Arsenal's official website that the club planned to send him out on loan due to the fact he couldn't get a work permit.[8]

On 30 October 2014, it was reported that Silva had obtained the necessary work permit to play for Arsenal from the start of the following (2015–16) season.[9]

Loans in Spain edit

On 12 January 2011, Arsenal loaned Silva to La Liga side Levante UD until June.[10] He made his debut on the 29th coming on as a late substitute in a 2–0 home success against Getafe CF.[11] Silva only appeared again on 21 May, again from the bench in a 2–1 home loss against Real Zaragoza.[12]

On 10 July 2011, Silva rejoined the Granotes.[13] However, after making no appearances for the Valencian side, he moved to CD Alcoyano in Segunda División on 12 January of the following year, also in a temporary deal.[14]

On 20 August 2012, Silva joined SD Ponferradina on a season-long loan.[15] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win at Villarreal CF, for the campaign's Copa del Rey.[16]

Silva scored his first league goal for Ponfe on 11 November, but in a 5–3 home loss against Córdoba CF.[17] He finished the season with 20 appearances (all from the bench, 425 minutes of action) as the Castile and León side narrowly missed out the play-offs.

In August 2013, Silva joined Real Murcia, again on loan.[18] He appeared in 38 matches during the campaign, as his side was eventually knocked out in the play-offs.

On 16 July 2014, Silva moved to UD Almería also in a season-long loan deal.[19] On 15 April of the following year was issued with a Spanish passport, allowing him to qualify automatically to work in the United Kingdom, and thus play for Arsenal.[20]

Loan to Bolton Wanderers edit

On 18 August 2015, Silva joined Championship side Bolton Wanderers on a season long loan.[21] At the time of the signing, Arsene Wenger said "He’s absolutely stunning to watch and I believe Bolton will be surprised by his quality."[22] Silva made his debut for the club on 21 August in their 1–1 home draw against Nottingham Forest, lasting eighty four minutes before he was substituted for Emile Heskey.[23] He scored his first goal for Bolton in a 4–3 defeat at Queens Park Rangers on 3 October 2015.[24] Silva suffered a hamstring tear during a 1–0 defeat to Birmingham City on 20 October, causing him to miss two months of the season.[25][26]

Return to Fluminense edit

On 18 July 2016, Wellington Silva returned to his former team Fluminense on a four-year contract.[27] His name changed to Wellington to not be confused with Wellington Silva.

Loan to Internacional edit

On 6 January 2018, Fluminense loaned Wellington Silva to Internacional.[28] On 6 January 2019, a new 18-month loan deal was arranged.[29] On 31 January 2020, his loan was cut short, and he returned to Fluminense,[30] where he featured sparingly during the year.

Gamba Osaka edit

On 25 March 2021, Wellington Silva was announced at Japanese club Gamba Osaka.[31]

Cuiabá edit

On 17 February 2023, Wellington Silva returned to Brazil after being announced at Cuiabá.[32]

Al-Najma edit

On 16 January 2024, Wellington Silva joined Saudi First Division League club Al-Najma, signing a six-month deal.[33]

International career edit

Silva was a part of the Brazil under-17 squad that performed at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[34] In November 2014 he appeared with the under-21s in a 2–2 draw against Australia[35] and a 3–1 win against South Korea.[36]

Career statistics edit

As of 24 February 2023[37]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League State League[i] Cup[ii] League Cup[iii] Continental[iv] Other[v] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Fluminense 2010 Série A 2 0 9 1 6 0 17 1
Arsenal 2010–11 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0
Levante (loan) 2010–11 La Liga 2 0 0 0 2 0
2011–12 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 2 0 0 0 2 0
Alcoyano (loan) 2011–12 Segunda División 16 3 16 3
Ponferradina (loan) 2012–13 Segunda División 20 3 3 1 23 4
Murcia (loan) 2013–14 Segunda División 36 2 1 0 2 1 39 3
Almería (loan) 2014–15 La Liga 31 0 4 0 35 0
Bolton (loan) 2015–16 Championship 22 2 3 0 25 2
Fluminense 2016 Série A 20 2 3 0 23 2
2017 18 2 12 4 6 2 6 0 1 0 43 8
2020 22 4 7 2 6 0 35 6
Total 60 8 19 6 15 2 6 0 1 0 101 16
Internacional (loan) 2018 Série A 10 1 6 0 1 0 17 1
2019 21 1 7 1 4 0 5 0 37 2
2020 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 31 1 14 1 5 0 5 0 55 3
Gamba Osaka 2021 J1 League 21 0 3 2 0 0 5 1 29 3
2022 12 1 2 1 3 0 17 2
Total 33 1 5 3 3 0 5 1 46 5
Cuiabá 2023 Série A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 253 20 42 8 42 6 3 0 16 1 3 1 359 37

Honours edit

Club edit

Fluminense[37]

Individual edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Promessa do Flu, Wellington Silva é vendido ao Arsenal por R$ 10 milhões" [Pearl of Flu, Wellington Silva is sold to Arsenal for R$ 10 million] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  2. ^ Hart, Danny (31 December 2012). "Arsenal Have Signed Brazilian Youngster Wellington Silva - Agent". Goal. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Flu goleia Friburguense por 5 a 1 no primeiro jogo do 2° turno do carioca" [Flu thrashes Friburguense by 5–1 in the first game of Carioca's second round] (in Portuguese). Rio Bola Cheia. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  4. ^ "Em noite de festa por volta à elite, Ceará vence o Flu em Fortaleza" [In a party night due to the return to top level, Ceará defeats Flu in Fortaleza] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Técnico do Flu detona atacante Wellington Silva: 'Nem jogador ele é'" [Coach of Flu destroys forward Wellington Silva: 'He is not even a player'] (in Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  6. ^ "Reserves: Manchester United 1–2 Arsenal". Arsenal.com. Arsenal Football Club. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  7. ^ Martin (8 October 2010). "Arsenal guaranteed at least one January arrival". The Goon Blog. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  8. ^ "Wellington to continue progress on loan". Arsenal.com. Arsenal Football Club. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
  9. ^ "Who is Arsenal's future Neymar, Wellington Silva who wants to become 'idol' at the Emirates?".
  10. ^ "Wellington loaned out to Spanish side Levante". Arsenal.com. Arsenal Football Club. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  11. ^ "El Levante está muy vivo" [Levante is very much alive] (in Spanish). Marca. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  12. ^ "Levante 1 Zaragoza 2" (in Spanish). Diario AS. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  13. ^ "Arsenal loan Wellington to Levante". Arsenal.com. Arsenal Football Club. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  14. ^ "Wellington jugará en el Alcoyano, cedido por el Arsenal" [Wellington will play in Alcoyano, on loan from Arsenal] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  15. ^ "Wellington joins SD Ponferradina on loan". Arsenal FC. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  16. ^ "El Villarreal no acaba con el gafe" [Villarreal does not stops the jinx] (in Spanish). Marca. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  17. ^ "El Córdoba arranca fuera de casa con un festival de goles" [Córdoba wins away with a goal festival] (in Spanish). Marca. 11 November 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  18. ^ "Wellington, al ser presentado en el Murcia: Tenía claro que quería jugar aquí" [Wellington, while being presented in Murcia: I had it clear that I wanted to play here] (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  19. ^ "El Almería cierra el fichaje del brasileño Wellington Silva, un extremo rápido y de calidad" [Almería completes signing of Brazilian Wellington Silva, a quick and quality winger] (in Spanish). Almería's official website. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  20. ^ "Arsenal: Wellington Silva finally given right to play in England". BBC Sport. 15 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  21. ^ "Wellington Silva: Arsenal winger joins Bolton Wanderers on loan". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  22. ^ "Wellington is stunning to watch". Arsenal.com. Arsenal Football Club. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  23. ^ "Bolton 1 1 Nottm Forest". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  24. ^ "QPR 4–3 Bolton". BBC Sport. BBC. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  25. ^ "Match Report". 20 October 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  26. ^ "Wellington Silva: Bolton winger out with hamstring injury". BBC Sport. BBC. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  27. ^ "Fluminense anuncia contratação de atacante Wellington Silva" [Fluminense announce the signing of forward Wellington Silva]. ESPN Brasil (in Portuguese). Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  28. ^ "Inter anuncia Wellington Silva". BeSoccer (in European Portuguese). 6 January 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  29. ^ "Wellington Silva renova com o Inter e comemora jogar a Libertadores pela primeira vez" [Wellington Silva renews with Inter and celebrates playing the Libertadores for the first time] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Gaúcha ZH. 6 January 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  30. ^ "Wellington Silva rescinde com Inter e volta ao Fluminense" [Wellington Silva rescinds with Inter and returns to Fluminense] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  31. ^ "Ex-Fluminense, Wellington Silva é anunciado pelo Gamba Osaka, do Japão" [Formerly of Fluminense, Wellington Silva is announced by Gamba Osaka, from Japan] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Lance!. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  32. ^ "Cuiabá anuncia contratação do atacante Wellington Silva, que estava no futebol japonês" [Cuiabá announce the signing of forward Wellington Silva, who was in Japanese football] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  33. ^ "الجناح البرازيلي "ويلينتغون" نجماوي".
  34. ^ "Wellington Silva profile". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  35. ^ "Sub-21: Brasil leva gol nos acréscimos e empata com Austrália na estreia" [Under-21: Brazil suffers goal in the end and draws with Australia in debut] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  36. ^ "Brasil sub-21 vence Coreia do Sul em Torneio Internacional na China" [Brazil defeats South Korea in an international tournament in China] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 16 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  37. ^ a b "Wellington". Soccer way.com.
  38. ^ "Com nove jogadores de Fla e Flu, Ferj divulga seleção do Campeonato Carioca". Globoesporte.com. 7 May 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2017.

External links edit