André Clarindo dos Santos (born 8 March 1983), more commonly known as André Santos, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Arsenal and the Brazil national football team as a left wing-back and left winger.. Santos is a youth product of Figueirense. He made his senior debut for Figueirense in a friendly game against Corinthians. On 15 June 2009, he made his first international appearance as a substitute in a match against Egypt. Santos participated and helped Brazil capture the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has described Santos as a quality player, with the ability to both defend well and get forward and help with attacks.
Santos is of European, African and Amerindian ancestry. As a youngster he was rarely seen without a football. His father realized his talent at an early age and placed him with the academy of his local club Figueirense. Andre developed his goal-scoring abilities by arriving on the training pitch earlier than his teammates and practicing his shooting. Santos first played professionally for Figueirense in a friendly game against Corinthians as a left winger. He was promoted to the A team on 10 July 2003. In September 2003, Pele described Santos as the next Roberto Carlos.
On 31 August 2011, André Santos signed for Arsenal on a long-term contract. He was given the number 11 shirt. Via Turkish Public Disclosure System (for Turkish stocks), Fenerbahçe SK announced the fee was €7 million.
Santos is of European, African and Amerindian ancestry. As a youngster he was rarely seen without a football. His father realized his talent at an early age and placed him with the academy of his local club Figueirense. Andre developed his goal-scoring abilities by arriving on the training pitch earlier than his teammates and practicing his shooting. Santos first played professionally for Figueirense in a friendly game against Corinthians as a left winger. He was promoted to the A team on 10 July 2003. In September 2003, Pele described Santos as the next Roberto Carlos.
On 31 August 2011, André Santos signed for Arsenal on a long-term contract. He was given the number 11 shirt. Via Turkish Public Disclosure System (for Turkish stocks), Fenerbahçe SK announced the fee was €7 million.
He made his debut for the Gunners on 17 September, starting against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in a Barclays Premier League fixture, playing the full 90 minutes at left-back in a 4-3 defeat. On 28 September, he scored his first goal for Arsenal in the 2–1 win over Olympiacos in a UEFA Champions League group match. His first Premier League goal was the second goal in the 5–3 away win against London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 29 October 2011. He continued with a series of solid performances as Arsenal's first choice left back in the absence of Kieran Gibbs, however he himself sustained an injury in the 3-1 defeat against Olympiacos which would keep him out for up to three months.
