David Luiz

Look who's back!

The transfer window has closed until January and on transfer deadline day there was a lot of last-minute spending by Premier League clubs. In total, Premier League clubs have spent a record £1.165 billion during this summer's transfer window and clubs spent an amazing £155 million on transfer deadline day. During the summer, thirteen clubs broke their own transfer record with Manchester Utd leading the way with the purchase of Paul Pogba from Juventus. On transfer deadline day, five clubs broke their transfer record as Burnley (Jeff Hendrick £10.5M), Sunderland (Didier N'Dong £13.6M), Hull City (Ryan Mason £13M), West Brom (Nacer Chadli £13M) and Leicester City (Islam Slimani £29M) all bought big. There were many other transfers, too, that didn't cost a transfer fee. Arsenal's Jack Wilshire moved to Bournemouth on loan for the season and Manchester City had a big clear-out with four players (Joe Hart, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Eliaquim Mangala) leaving the club on loan or in permanent deals. But, probably the biggest surprise was David Luiz's return to Chelsea in a deal worth £30M. 

Where is he from?

We will be seeing this celebration at Stamford Bridge again soon!

David Luiz has made a sensational return to Chelsea after signing a three-year contract at the Premier League club. Luiz was born on 22 April 1987 in Sao Paulo, the capital of Brazil. His first professional club was Vitoria who were playing in the Brazilian third division. He helped the club win promotion to the second division but didn't stay at the club for long. He soon made the journey to Europe and to the country where most Brazilian footballers first arrive - Portugal. As Portugal and Brazil share the same language, it makes it much easier for someone to settle into life there. Luiz signed a contract with Benfica, one of the biggest clubs in Portugal. He signed a five-year contract and helped them win the Portuguese League title in 2009/10. In January 2011, after nearly five seasons with Benfica, he moved to London when he signed a five and a half year deal with Chelsea. The cost of the transfer was £24M.

"I am delighted to be joining a big English club. It is a major challenge for me but I am determined and confident in my ability to adapt to this excellent league." David Luiz speaking about his first transfer to Chelsea in 2011.

How did he do the first time?

Luiz celebrates a goal for PSG against Chelsea.

David Luiz played 143 times for Chelsea in his first spell at the club. While at Chelsea, he won the FA Cup and Europa League but he will probably remember Chelsea's Champions League win in 2012 the most. It was the first time Chelsea had won the Champions League and the first time that a team from London had been champions of Europe. Luiz was named Man of the Match in the last-16 match against Napoli and again in the quarter-finals against his old team, Benfica. However, an injury meant that he couldn't play in a bad-tempered semi-final against Barcelona and nobody thought that he would be able to play in the final either. But, he returned for the final against Bayern Munich in Munich's home stadium. It was a famous victory for Chelsea and Luiz scored one of the penalties as the away team won in a penalty shoot-out.

"Nobody thought I’d be able to play. They certainly didn’t imagine I’d go for 90 minutes, let alone 120, followed by penalties. It was one of the most incredible games of my life. Not only because it was the Champions League Final but because I was carrying an injury when I played, people saw me train the day before the game and I was crying with the pain." David Luiz talking about the Chanpions League Final in 2012.

What's David Luiz's style?

David Luiz signing for Chelsea in 2011.

David Luiz has a big cult following at Chelsea and in the Premier League in general. He is definitely a player that divides opinion. Those that love him say that it's great when a player takes risks and tries the unexpected. Luiz is great when he has the ball and can play superb passes, can dribble and can take some fantastic free-kicks (see World Cup 2014 Brazil v Colombia). He is also very passionate and will always give you 100%. However, many say that he's not so good defensively and when he doesn't have the ball. His positioning can sometimes be questioned, as well as his tackling. In addition to defence, Luiz can also play in midfield. Where will Antonio Conte, the Chelsea manager, play his new signing? 

"I’m back, I cannot wait to see you guys (the fans) and to give back what you guys gave to me in the first period I was here. Let’s enjoy!" David Luiz's message for Chelsea fans in 2016.

Where has he been?

Can you find David Luiz in the photo?

David Luiz left Chelsea to sign for Paris St. Germain (PSG) in 2014 for £50M, which still is a world-record transfer fee for a defender. For the last two seasons, he has been playing for the French giants and, of course, the Brazilian national team. He's had mixed fortunes. With PSG, he won the French triple (the League title and two domestic cup competitions) in both 2014/15 and 2015/16. In the Champions League, he helped PSG beat Chelsea in 2014/15 and scored a goal in the second leg at Stamford Bridge. After the match, he apologised for celebrating the goal. With Brazil, Luiz played a big part at the World Cup in his home country. He scored Brazil's goal and a penalty in the shoot-out against Chile in the last-16 and scored a fantastic free-kick which was the winning goal against Colombia in the quarter-finals. However, he was captain for Brazil's humiliation against Germany when they lost 7-1 in the semi-final and received a lot of the blame. On a more positive note, Luiz was named in FIFA's World Cup Dream Team and the FIFA XI for 2014.

"England and Chelsea was really cool. It’s a country, and a club, in which I was very happy. There were lots of experiences I’ll never forget. Winning the Champions League there, of course, and when the cycle finished...I went back there with all the happiness in the world, to meet up with some great friends." David Luiz, talking about the UK and his first time at Chelsea when at PSG.

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