Edu as a Betis player in 2008
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Personal information | |||
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Full name | Luís Eduardo Schmidt | ||
Date of birth | 10 January 1979 | ||
Place of birth | Jaú, Brazil | ||
Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
Playing position | Forward / Midfielder | ||
Youth career | |||
1996–1997 | XV Jaú | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1997–2000 | São Paulo | 11 | (0) |
2000–2004 | Celta | 117 | (27) |
2004–2009 | Betis | 136 | (36) |
2009–2010 | Internacional | 25 | (3) |
2011 | Vitória | 5 | (1) |
2012 | Colorado Rapids | 9 | (0) |
Total | 303 | (67) | |
National team | |||
1999–2000 | Brazil U23 | 14 | (6) |
2000 | Brazil | 1 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
Luís Eduardo Schmidt (born 10 January 1979), commonly known as Edu, is a Brazilian retired footballer.
A versatile midfielder and forward, he played most of his professional career in Spain – helping both Celta and Betis to their first-ever Champions League participation – amassing La Liga totals of 253 matches and 63 goals in nine years.
He started his career with São Paulo.
Born in Jaú, São Paulo, Edu made only 11 Série A appearances for São Paulo FC from 1997 to 2000, then transferred to Spain's Celta de Vigo for the 2000–01 season. Even though he only scored three goals during his first year, he went on to become one of the Galician side's most important elements in the subsequent La Liga campaigns.
Hindered by injuries throughout 2003–04, Edu also played a small part in Celta's run in the UEFA Champions League, netting once against Arsenal in a round-of-16 home defeat (2–3). Upon the club's relegation he moved to Real Betis, spending the first two seasons on loan.
Edu made a huge impression during his first year in Andalusia, as his partnership with countryman Ricardo Oliveira featured strongly in the success of the club, who qualified to its first Champions League. He finished the campaign with 11 goals in 32 league appearances, with the team also winning the season's Copa del Rey.