Clayton Ferreira Cruz
Clayton Ferreira Cruz, just Clayton (born July 19, 1975 in São João do Paraíso, Minas Gerais), is a Brazilian footballer currently playing for AEL Limassol, in the Cypriot First Division.
A forward or winger, he preferably operates on the left.
Football career
After a solid career in native Brazil, namely with Clube Atlético Mineiro, Clayton moved to Portugal in 1999, joining Azores' C.D. Santa Clara. In January 2000, he moved to Portuguese League powerhouse F.C. Porto, and went on to become an important offensive element. On October 17, 2001, in the UEFA Champions League, Clayton netted a brace against Celtic FC, in a 3–0 home triumph. Porto leapfrog Celtic, UEFA.com, 17 October 2001 He was also a part of the side's UEFA Cup winning team in 2002–03, although he did not play in the final. In 2003–04, Clayton moved to Sporting Clube de Portugal Surprise swap between rivals; UEFA.com, 14 July 2003 and, after appearing scarcely throughout the season, was loaned to lowly F.C. Penafiel and joined Vitoria de Guimarães in the following two stints. After another Brazil spell, with Sport Club do Recife, and another season at Penafiel (then in the Portuguese second level), Clayton moved to Cyprus. Starting 2007–08 with Alki Larnaca FC, he joined AC Omonia in January 2008. In January of the following year, Clayton moved teams in the same country, signing with AEL Limassol.Honours
- Portuguese League: 2002–03
- Portuguese Cup: 1999–00, 2000–01, 2002–03
- Portuguese Supercup: 2001
- UEFA Cup: 2002–03
- Cypriot Cup: Runner-up 2008–09