Felipe Santana

Felipe Augusto Santana (Brazilian Portuguese: [fɪˈɫipɪ awˈɡuʃ.tu ˈsan.ta.ɲa], European Portuguese: [fɨˈɫip(ɨ) awˈɡuʃ.tu ˈsan.ta.na]; born 17 March 1986) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Atlético Mineiro.

Early career

Santana started his football career at Figueirense, having join the club since 1996 and then signed his professional contract in 2006. Felipe made his debut for the club, on 3 May 2007, in a 6-3 loss against Atlético Paranaense. On 3 July 2007, Santana scored his first goal of his professional career, in a 2-1 win over Cruzeiro; then, scored again two weeks later, on 14 July 2007, in a 2-1 win over Paraná. Then, in his first season, Santana made thirty-four appearance and scoring three times.

In 2008, on the opening game of the season, Santana made his last appearance, scoring a brace, in a 5-5 draw against Portuguesa. This turns out to be his only appearance of the season.

Borussia Dortmund

On 16 May 2008, Santana joined Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, with a fee in the region of €2 million (£1.6million) and signed a five-year deal.

Santana had to wait for his debut until 21 September 2008, scoring his first goal in a 4-1 loss against Hoffenheim and scoring his second in the next game, in a 3-0 win over Stuttgart. Santana would later added two more goals against Eintracht Frankfurt and Karlsruher. In his first season at Borussia Dortmund, Santana made twenty-three appearance and scoring four times despite restriction of injury.

Throughout the three seasons since joining Borussia Dortmund, Santana's playing time was reduced, due to the defensive partnership with Mats Hummels and Neven Subotić and in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, the club won three domestic trophies: two times in the league in 2010–11 season and 2011–12 season, as well as, winning the DFB-Pokal in 2011–12 season. During the three seasons since Borussia Dortmund, Santana played the combined of forty-one appearance and scorig once against rivals, Schalke 04. Santana's thirteen appearance in the 2011-12 season restricted him, due to ankle injury and wtrained Abdominal Muscle. A lack of first team opportunities lead to the expectation that Santana would leave the club, a suggestion that was denied by the club's General manager Michael Zorc. At the end of the 2011-12 Bundesliga season, Santana had his contract extended until 2014.

Due to both Mats Hummels and Neven Subotić being injured in the 2012–13 Bundesliga season, Santana was given an opportunity to get more playing time that season. With Sanatana increasingly given a first team opportunity until Hummels and Subotić returned, Santana scored his first Bundesliga goal in three years, in a 5-0 win over Werder Bremen on 19 January 2013. On 3 March 2013, Santana scored the first goal in a 3–0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League with a header directly from a corner. He also scored a goal in the last minute against Málaga on 9 April 2013 to win the tie with Borussia Dortmund progressing to the semi-finals. They went on to reach the final of the UEFA Champions League, but lost 2-1. After the match, Santana said the club shouldn't have been disappointed with their progression, and stated his desire to leave the club in order to find more playing time.

Since leaving Borussia Dortmund, Santana has been critical of Jürgen Klopp, describing him as "stupid". In response, the club's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke expressed anger towards him, calling him unprofessional. Despite being critical towards Klopp, Santana described leaving Dortmund for Schalke as a "hard decision" , due to the Revierderby between two clubs.

Schalke 04

Felipe Santana in action for Olympiacos in 2013.

On 28 May 2013, FC Schalke 04 confirmed that Felipe Santana had signed a contract with them until 30 June 2016. The transfer fee was reported by media as €1,000,000 at the time. He was assigned a number 5 shirt, previously worn by Marcelo Bordon. The transfer speculation of Santan have been occurred since February.

Santana made his Schalke 04 debut, where he made his first start and playing 90 minutes, in a 4-0 loss against Wolfsburg. Though he appeared on the substitte in the first half of the season, Sanatana scored his first Schalke 04 goal, in a 2-1 win over Wolfsburg on 1 February 2014. Towards the end of the season, Santana suffered a torn muscle and was sent-off on 3 May 2014 after a second bookable offence against Freiburg. Despite this, Santana finished the 2013-14 season, making twenty appearance and scoring once.

However, at the start of the 2014-15 season, Santana suffered a tore his muscle bundle during a match, which Schalke 04 loss 5-1 against Bayern Munich. After making his return against Wolfsburg on 22 November 2014, his return was short-lived when he once again suffered a thigh injury.

Though he made his return, it was announced on 30 January 2015, he left club and was signed by Olympiacos on loan for half year. Santana soon made his Olympiacos debut, where he played 90 minutes, in a 2-1 win over Atromitos on 4 February 2015. Though he made eight appearance, which saw Olympiacos won the league, Santana loan spell with Olypiacos ended and returned ti his parent club.

Ahead of the 2015-16 season, Santana was linked with a move to Köln and agreed with a move. However, the move failed after Santana failed a medical and stayed at Schalke 04, where he made no appearance. This came when after Santana was told by the club's management that he has no future at the club.

Kuban Krasnodar

On 11 January 2016 Santana signed a contract with the Russian Premier League side FC Kuban Krasnodar. The contract was due to expire in the summer of 2018. Upon joining Kuban Krasnodar, Santana revealed that Ari and Kevin Kurányi played a role when they persuaded him to play in Russia.

Santana made his Kuban Krasnodar debut on 5 March 2016, in a 1-0 loss against Rubin Kazan. At Kuban Krasnador, Santana made twelve appearance in all competitions, but was unable to help the club survive relegation in the Russian Premier League.

Atlético Mineiro

On 21 December 2016, Brazilian club Atlético Mineiro confirmed the signing of Santana for two seasons.

Santana is a high-jumper, a fast-sprinter, and a hysterically strong man. Santana was described in his early 20s by Brazilian experts as a "rising star". His defensive skills and his understanding of the game on the football pitch led to comparisons with defenders Lilian Thuram, Lúcio, and Naldo.

Club

Figueirense

• Copa do Brasil Runner-up: 2007

Borussia Dortmund

• Bundesliga: 2010–11, 2011–12
• DFB-Pokal: 2011–12
• UEFA Champions League Runner-up: 2012–13

Olympiakos F.C.

• Superleague Greece: 2014–15
• Greek Football Cup: 2014–15

Santana has stated that his mother is the "most important person" and support in his life. Though born in Brazil, Santana said he has settled in Germany and speaks German, and applied for a German passport.