Dedé

Anderson Vital da Silva, known as Dedé (born July 1, 1988 in Volta Redonda), is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a centre back or sweeper for Vasco da Gama and the Brazilian national team.

Club career

Vasco da Gama

After a good Campeonato Carioca for Volta Redonda in 2009, Dedé was loaned with a buy-out clause to the Giant of the Hill. In Vasco, Dedé won his first title as a professional, the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B in 2009, despite not having had many chances in the first team.

In 2010, Dedé started the year as a bench player and had very few chances to show his skills for Vasco da Gama. However in a game against Vitória, for the quarter-final of the Copa do Brasil, Dedé was selected because the lack of available defenders and therefore had his contract (which would end in a month) renewed until the end of 2010. He played that game really well and after a string of solid and impressive displays, became the defensive backbone of Vasco da Gama, being one of the fan favourites and heavily cheered by Vasco da Gama's supporters.

In October 2010, the buy-out clause was exercised, and subsequently Dedé and Vasco da Gama signed an agreement until the end of 2014. In the same year, Dedé won the award of best right centre back in Brasileirão. In 2011, formed a rock solid duo with Anderson Martins that won the 2011 Copa do Brasil, with both players being elected the best central defenders of the 2011 Campeonato Carioca.

Currently, Dedé is considered one of the best centre backs in activity in Brazil and one of the greats new players in Brazilian football, with great acclaim from critics and fans. With great performances and the big identification with the Vasco da Gama's fans, Dedé won the fans several nicknames: "O Mito" ("The Myth"), "Dedéckenbauer" and even "Dedélícia" ("Dedélicious", by female fans). Dedé has become one of the great idols of the Vasco da Gama in the 21st Century, turning up the campaign poster boy "Marco1924" (promotional clock that celebrates the victory of Vasco da Gama against racism in football), along with Fernando Prass.^[1][2][3][4]

International career

In July 25, 2011, after numerous great performances by Vasco da Gama, Dedé is called for the first time for the Brazilian national football team, for the friendly match against Germany, on the first call by the coach Mano Menezes after the elimination in the Copa America 2011, and in August 18, Dedé is called again, this time, for the friendly match against Ghana. But he has not played in any of the opportunities. In September 5, Dedé is called for Roca Cup, where only players who play in Brazilian football were called. On September 14, Dedé finally debuted in Roca Cup.^[5][6]

Career statistics

Club

(Correct as of December 22, 2011^[update])

International

National team Club Season Apps Goals Brazil Vasco da Gama 2011 2 0 Total 2 0

International appearances and goals # Date Venue Opponent Result Goal Competition 2011 1. September 14, 2011 Córdoba, Argentina  Argentina 0–0 0 Superclásico de las Américas 2. September 28, 2011 Pará, Brazil  Argentina 2–0 0 Superclásico de las Américas

Awards and honours

Club

• Vasco da Gama
  • Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2009
  • Copa do Brasil: 2011

National team

Brazil

• Superclásico de las Américas (1): 2011

Individual

• Best Centre-back of Campeonato Carioca (2): 2010, 2011
• Prêmio Craque do Brasileirão Championship Squad (2): 2010, 2011
• Silver Ball (1): 2011 – Best Centre-back in Brazilian League by magazine Placar
• Prêmio Craque da Galera 2011: Best player in the Brazilian Championship of 2011 chosen by the public.

Contract

In October 2010, Dedé and Vasco entered into an agreement for the renewal of his contract until the end of 2014.

References

External links

• Dedé (footballer) at footballzz.co.uk
• Dedé on Twitter