Fernando Baiano
Quick Facts
Biography
João Fernando Nelo (born 18 March 1979 in São Paulo), commonly known as Fernando Baiano, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Mogi Mirim Esporte Clube as a striker.
Football career
After five successful years in native Brazil with Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, Internacional Porto Alegre and Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, Baiano moved abroad, joining Bundesliga's VfL Wolfsburg and scoring 11 league goals in his sole season, upon which he returned to his country with Associação Desportiva São Caetano.
In January 2005, Baiano signed for La Liga side Málaga CF, netting on nine occasions to help the Andalusia team reach a mid-table final place. During that summer, he left for Celta de Vigo: during his spell in Galicia, the club would participate in the UEFA Cup but also be relegated to Segunda División, with the player contributing with 32 goals in 80 official appearances in the process.
Upon Celta's relegation, Baiano agreed to a three-year contract with Real Murcia, for approximately €5 million. After just five league goals during the 2007–08 campaign his team finished second from the bottom, with the subsequent relegation.
In August 2008 Baiano was loaned to Al Jazira Club, in the United Arab Emirates. In June of the following year he moved to another side in the city, Al-Wahda SCC, penning a two-year contract for €5million – the player originally requested a three-year deal for €9m.