Samba beat set to grip Super League as more teams go Brazilian
PETALING JAYA: The samba will be an infectious beat in the new Super League season as a number of teams have snapped up more Brazilians to bolster their line-ups.
Perak have announced the latest buy from Brazil in 28-year-old striker Clayton Silva, who will join his compatriot Luiz Motta, a centreback, to add flair and style to the Seladang armoury.
Penang have also confirmed the signing of pint-sized playmaker Neto Oliveira, who is expected to operate behind countryman Rodrigo Dias in the Black Panthers’ attacking line.
Earlier, Kedah also opted for a defender from the land of the ‘’joga bonito’’ (beautiful game) when they acquired centreback Cleylton de Morais from Brazilian club Chapecoense.
Silva’s signing with Perak came with much fanfare due to the top clubs he has featured for in the past.
The hitman who has a penchant for shining on the flanks made his name with top Brazilian clubs like Vasco Da Gama, Corinthians, Atletico Mineiro and Bahia.
Silva has also played in Europe for Ukraine’s top division side Dynamo Kyiv, who once boasted the likes of legends like Andriy Shevchenko and Oleg Blokhin.
Perak will be Silva’s first venture into Asia and he’s excited about his new adventure.
“I’m looking forward to my first experience in Asia. It’s going to be exciting,” said Silva, who is also a former Brazil Under-22 team player.
“My experience in Ukraine will surely help me a lot. I’m a forward who loves to operate from the flanks and I hope I get to use that ability to the fullest with Perak.’’
As for Penang’s latest acquisition Oliveira, who stands just 1.64m (5’3’’), he also comes highly recommended after impressive seasons with Flamengo and Santos.
The 26-year-old, who joined from Brazilian club Trem DC, will also enjoy the company of another countryman, centreback Rafael Vitor — who joined Penang in 2020 and is now the team’s skipper — apart from Dias.
The other Super League teams who boast Brazilians in their squads for this season are Johor Darul Ta’zim (winger Heberty Fernandes, striker Bergson Da Silva and leftback Murilo Henrique) and Sabah (striker Ramon Machado and centreback Gabriel Peres).
The Malaysian League has always attracted quality talents from Brazil and three of them - Paulo Josue, Endrick dos Santos and Guilherme De Paula — have gone on to become naturalised players for the national team.