Liverpool FC player profile - Fabio Aurelio

Fábio Aurélio Rodrigues, better known as Liverpool FC and Brazil defender Fábio Aurélio, was born on 24 September 1979 in Sao Carlos, Brazil. As a youth footballer Fábio Aurélio played for Sao Paulo where he worked his way through the ranks to a debut in their first team in 1997. Fábio Aurélio remained at Sao Paulo until 2000 during which time he made 54 appearrances and scored 3 goals for the Brazilian side. Whilst Fábio Aurélio was at Sao Paulo he debuted for his country, Brazil, at a number of levels, under 17, under 20 and under 21, as well s appearing for the senior squad at the Sydney 2000 summer olympics.

Fábio Aurélio joined Spanish La Liga club Valencia on his return from the 2000 olympics, and, in 2001/02 helped them to their first La Liga title for more than 30 years. Establishing himself as one of the best left backs in the league Fábio Aurélio added to his medal collection in the 2003/04 season as Valencia achieved a double winning the La Liga again as well as the UEFA Cup. Although Fábio Aurélio enjoyed his success at Valencia he had set himself personal career objectives which if he was to achieve would mean him moving away from Valencia and on 05 July 2006 Fábio Aurélio was unveiled as the latest signing of Premier League club Liverpool FC.

Fábio Aurélio made his competitive debut for Liverpool FC on 13 August 2006 coming on as second half substitute in the season opening Community Shield match which saw Liverpool FC win 2-1 against Chelsea. His first season with the club was curtailed early on 03 April 2007 due to an ankle injury which saw him sidelined until the start of the following 07/08 season. Fábio Aurélio established himself as a first choice left back for the Merseyside club, his first goal for the club came in the Premier League on 02 March 2008 in a 3-1 away win at Bolton Wanderers.  The 2009/10 season was one of Liverpool's most disappointing in recent times and on 25th May 2010, after making 71 appearances and scoring 3 goals, it was confirmed that Fábio Aurélio would be leaving the club after rejecting a pay-per-play offer.