Júlio Baptista
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Baptista in 2016
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Júlio César Clemente Baptista | ||
| Date of birth | 1 October 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | São Paulo, Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Playing position | Attacking midfielder / Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| São Paulo | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000–2003 | São Paulo | 75 | (7) |
| 2003–2005 | Sevilla | 63 | (38) |
| 2005–2008 | Real Madrid | 59 | (11) |
| 2006–2007 | → Arsenal (loan) | 24 | (3) |
| 2008–2011 | Roma | 57 | (12) |
| 2011–2013 | Málaga | 29 | (14) |
| 2013–2015 | Cruzeiro | 36 | (12) |
| 2016 | Orlando City | 23 | (6) |
| National team | |||
| 2003 | Brazil U20 | 5 | (3) |
| 2001–2010 | Brazil | 47 | (5) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 06:44, 26 June 2016 (UTC). |
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Júlio César Clemente Baptista (born 1 October 1981) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or forward for Major League Soccer club Orlando City SC. He is nicknamed "The Beast" due to having a similar last name to professional wrestler Dave Bautista.
Baptista began his career as a defensive midfielder, and after a series of impressive performances for his hometown squad São Paulo FC, Baptista signed for Sevilla FC in 2003. Upon signing for Sevilla, he was converted into a forward, and in his two seasons, he scored 50 goals, leading to his 2005 transfer to Spanish giants Real Madrid. After two unsuccessful seasons at Real Madrid with a loan spell at Arsenal sandwiched in between, Baptista transferred to Roma in Italy. In January 2011 he returned to Spain by signing for Málaga, and two years later went back to Brazil with Cruzeiro.
On 3 August 2003, Sevilla FC unveiled Baptista as their newest signing. He cost the Spanish club £1.75 million (US$3.75 million). Baptista made it clear he was confident that he would succeed in Spain. He donned the No.19 jersey and began playing as an attacking midfielder. Baptista settled in quickly, scoring a double in Sevilla's 4–0 victory over Racing de Santander. As the season progressed, his good form continued, including a double against Levante UD and once more hitting the back of the net against Racing de Santander, this time with four goals as Sevilla picked up a 5–2 victory at home.
His form attracted the attention of several big name clubs, but despite interest from English giants Arsenal, Baptista remained at Sevilla for the following season, in which he once more showed his worth registering 25 goals in all competitions.
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