Meet Flamengo's new striker
Flamengo will be Vagner Love's third club, having also played for the Brazilian national team.
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Vagner arrived at Palestra Itália in 2001 and quickly caught everyone's attention. Playing in the 2002 Campeonato Paulista de Juniores, the striker broke the competition's scoring record with 32 goals. That same year, he received his first professional opportunities.
At the 2003 São Paulo Junior Cup, the player experienced a period of ups and downs. He was a standout for Palmeiras, leading the team to the final, but during the training camp in São José dos Campos, in the interior of São Paulo, he was caught with a woman at the hotel. Coach Karmino Colombini suspended Vagner from a few games, but then reinstated him, and the striker was able to help the team reach the Copinha final. It was that year that the player was nicknamed "Vagner Love."
2003 was a landmark year for Vagner Love. Palmeiras invested in its youth academy talent to compete in the Brazilian Championship's Série B, and he was a key player. The striker didn't feel the responsibility of wearing Palmeiras' number 9 jersey during a difficult time. With 19 goals, he was the standout performer of the competition and helped Verdão win the title and promotion to the Brazilian football elite.
In 2004, at just 20 years old, Vagner was already a fixture at Palestra Itália and engaged in a healthy competition with former São Paulo player Luis Fabiano for the title of best center forward in Brazil. The striker excelled in the Campeonato Paulista, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with 12 goals. With his strong performances at Palmeiras, Vagner Love attracted the interest of international clubs and was signed in July 2004 by CSKA Moscow in Russia for US$7,5 million.
In August 2009, Vagner Love returned to Palmeiras to continue his career with the club. Signed on a one-year loan, the striker ultimately failed to establish himself. Between interviews, he consistently professed his love for Flamengo, warning: "One day I'll wear this shirt." That date arrived sooner than many expected. Last Thursday morning, Love was released by CSKA to represent the Red-Blacks until July 2010.
Credits
Full name: Vagner Silva de Souza
Date of birth: June 11, 1984 (age 25)
Place of birth: Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Height: 1,71 m
Foot: Right-handed
Nickname: Love, Love Gunner
Career:
2003-2004 Palmeiras (42 games and 27 goals)
2004-2009 CSKA (118 games and 61 goals)
2009 Palmeiras (12 games and 05 goals)
Brazil National Team
2002-2003 - Brazil U-20 (5 games and 04 goals)
2004-2007 Brazil (21 games and 04 goals)
At the 2003 São Paulo Junior Cup, the player experienced a period of ups and downs. He was a standout for Palmeiras, leading the team to the final, but during the training camp in São José dos Campos, in the interior of São Paulo, he was caught with a woman at the hotel. Coach Karmino Colombini suspended Vagner from a few games, but then reinstated him, and the striker was able to help the team reach the Copinha final. It was that year that the player was nicknamed "Vagner Love."
2003 was a landmark year for Vagner Love. Palmeiras invested in its youth academy talent to compete in the Brazilian Championship's Série B, and he was a key player. The striker didn't feel the responsibility of wearing Palmeiras' number 9 jersey during a difficult time. With 19 goals, he was the standout performer of the competition and helped Verdão win the title and promotion to the Brazilian football elite.
In 2004, at just 20 years old, Vagner was already a fixture at Palestra Itália and engaged in a healthy competition with former São Paulo player Luis Fabiano for the title of best center forward in Brazil. The striker excelled in the Campeonato Paulista, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with 12 goals. With his strong performances at Palmeiras, Vagner Love attracted the interest of international clubs and was signed in July 2004 by CSKA Moscow in Russia for US$7,5 million.
In August 2009, Vagner Love returned to Palmeiras to continue his career with the club. Signed on a one-year loan, the striker ultimately failed to establish himself. Between interviews, he consistently professed his love for Flamengo, warning: "One day I'll wear this shirt." That date arrived sooner than many expected. Last Thursday morning, Love was released by CSKA to represent the Red-Blacks until July 2010.
Credits
Full name: Vagner Silva de Souza
Date of birth: June 11, 1984 (age 25)
Place of birth: Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Height: 1,71 m
Foot: Right-handed
Nickname: Love, Love Gunner
Career:
2003-2004 Palmeiras (42 games and 27 goals)
2004-2009 CSKA (118 games and 61 goals)
2009 Palmeiras (12 games and 05 goals)
Brazil National Team
2002-2003 - Brazil U-20 (5 games and 04 goals)
2004-2007 Brazil (21 games and 04 goals)