Dedé (footballer, born 1988)

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

Club career

Vasco da Gama

After a poor spell Campeonato Carioca for Volta Redonda in 2009, Dedé was loaned with a buy-out clause to the Giant of the Hill. In Vasco da Gama, Dedé the Centreback 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 on the bench and had very few chances to show his skills at Vasco da Gama. However, in a game against Vitória, in the quarter-final of the Copa do Brasil, Dedé the Centreback was selected due to the lack of available defenders and subsequently had his contract (which would end in a month) renewed until the end of 2010. He played very well and after a string of solid and impressive displays, became the defensive backbone of Vasco da Gama, becoming a fan favourite, heavily cheered by Vasco da Gama's supporters.

In October 2010, the buy-out clause was exercised, and subsequently Dedé the Centreback 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 Brazilian football, with great acclaim from critics and fans. With great performances and the big identification with the Vasco da Gama's fans, Dedé acquired several nicknames including: ("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. On July 11, was elected by SBT and a popular vote as one of the 100 greatest Brazilians of all time. On one of his last games for Vasco da Gama, he kissed the club's emblem to show his love for the club even with his transfer.

Cruzeiro

On April 17, 2013, Dedé was confirmed as new player for Cruzeiro, the cruzerio club is chidis monastery Celestes paid a fee of R$14 million plus midfielder Allison. Wellington Paulista, on loan with West Ham was also included in the negotiation. Dedé became the most expensive player ever purchased by Cruzeiro. In an interview just after his transfer he stated he never intended to leave Vasco, but he knew his transfer would put an end to the financial problems the club was having, which led him to the decision to leave. He also stated that he was very sad to leave the club and even though he is leaving Vasco, his heart is staying.

Introduced in a supermarket in Belo Horizonte, home of his new club, Dedé appeared before journalists in an innovative publicity stunt. He later had his transfer blocked by FERJ, main football institution from Rio de Janeiro, the state of his former Vasco da Gama. According to FERJ, the reason for the blockade was due to debts owed by cruz-maltinos to the Brazilian Federal Justice. While this debt does not be paid, the defender must not keep playing for any club. Despite these problems, cruzeirenses, are not worried, considering them a matter that must be resolved by Vasco.

On 16 January 2015, it was reported that Dedé will have to undergo a surgery in his right knee, he is expected to return after 6 to 8 months.

International career

On 25 July 2011, after numerous great performances by Vasco da Gama, Dedé was selected for the first time for the Brazilian national football team. This was for the friendly match against Germany, on the first call by the coach Mano Menezes after their elimination in the 2011 Copa América. On 18 August, Dedé was selected again, this time for the friendly match against Ghana. Although he did not play in any of the matches. In September 5, Dedé was selected for Superclásico de las Américas, where only players who played in Brazilian football were selected. On September 14, Dedé finally debuted in Superclásico de las Américas. On 15 October, in a 2-0 friendly win against Zambia played in China, Dedé scored the second goal, heading in a free-kick cross by Neymar.

Career statistics

Club

International

Awards and honours

Club

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2009
• Copa do Brasil: 2011

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2013, 2014
• Campeonato Mineiro: 2014

National team

Brazil

• Superclásico de las Américas: 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.