Douglas Franco Teixeira
Encyclopedia
Douglas Franco Teixeira (born 12 January 1988), simply known as Douglas, is a Brazil
ian-born Dutch professional footballer who currently plays for FC Twente
in the Netherlands.
He is a commanding central defender
, displaying strong aerial ability, and he is widely considered to be one of the best defenders in the Eredivisie
.
, Douglas began his career with Joinville
at the age of 16. He joined Dutch team FC Twente
on trial prior to the 2007–08 season, playing his first match in a friendly against Borussia Mönchengladbach
on 7 September 2007. Douglas made his competitive Twente debut on 22 December 2007, coming on as a 90th minute substitute in an Eredivisie match against SC Heerenveen. His first start came on 23 February 2008 against AZ Alkmaar, in a 0–0 draw.
In May 2008, his playing form attracted interest from "several bigger clubs". However, he opted to sign a contract extension until 2012.
His impressive form over the next season drew the attention of Italian team Juventus, as well as German teams Hamburger SV
and VfL Wolfsburg
. He dismissed interest from fellow Dutch clubs PSV and AFC Ajax as he felt it was "inconceivable" for him to play for any team in the Netherlands other than Twente.
On 28 February 2011, Douglas was suspended for six matches by the Dutch FA
. The suspension related to an incident in Twente's previous match against AZ Alkmaar in which, after being sent off for punching AZ midfielder Pontus Wernbloom
, he proceeded to push match referee Ruud Bossen. Douglas had already been fined and suspended by Twente for the original sending off.
. In September 2010 he said that although he would still prefer to represent Brazil, he felt this was unrealistic due to his lack of exposure playing in the Netherlands and that, if the opportunity were to arise, he would be interested in playing for the Netherlands
. He decided to begin the process of attaining Dutch
citizenship, a decision welcomed by national team manager Bert van Marwijk
. On 2 November 2011, he received his Dutch passport.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian-born Dutch professional footballer who currently plays for FC Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
in the Netherlands.
He is a commanding central defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, displaying strong aerial ability, and he is widely considered to be one of the best defenders in the Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
.
Club career
Born in FlorianópolisFlorianópolis
-Climate:Florianópolis experiences a warm humid subtropical climate, falling just short of a true tropical climate. The seasons of the year are distinct, with a well-defined summer and winter, and characteristic weather for autumn and spring. Frost is infrequent, but occurs occasionally in the winter...
, Douglas began his career with Joinville
Joinville Esporte Clube
Joinville Esporte Clube, or simply Joinville as they are usually called, is a Brazilian football team from Joinville in Santa Catarina, founded on January 29, 1976....
at the age of 16. He joined Dutch team FC Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
on trial prior to the 2007–08 season, playing his first match in a friendly against Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach is a German association football club based in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia. The team plays in the Bundesliga and is one of the country's most well-known, well-supported, and successful teams. Borussia Mönchengladbach has over 40,000 members and is the sixth...
on 7 September 2007. Douglas made his competitive Twente debut on 22 December 2007, coming on as a 90th minute substitute in an Eredivisie match against SC Heerenveen. His first start came on 23 February 2008 against AZ Alkmaar, in a 0–0 draw.
In May 2008, his playing form attracted interest from "several bigger clubs". However, he opted to sign a contract extension until 2012.
His impressive form over the next season drew the attention of Italian team Juventus, as well as German teams Hamburger SV
Hamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
and VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg is a professional German association football club based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, who play in the Bundesliga football competition. Wolfsburg have won the Bundesliga once in their history, in the 2008–09 season, and were DFB-Pokal runners-up in 1995. The current head coach is Felix...
. He dismissed interest from fellow Dutch clubs PSV and AFC Ajax as he felt it was "inconceivable" for him to play for any team in the Netherlands other than Twente.
On 28 February 2011, Douglas was suspended for six matches by the Dutch FA
Royal Dutch Football Association
The Royal Dutch Football Association is the governing body of football in the Netherlands. It organises the main Dutch football leagues , the amateur leagues, the KNVB Cup, and the Dutch national football team. It is based in the municipality of Zeist.The KNVB came into being on 8 December 1889...
. The suspension related to an incident in Twente's previous match against AZ Alkmaar in which, after being sent off for punching AZ midfielder Pontus Wernbloom
Pontus Wernbloom
Pontus Anders Mikael Wernbloom is a Swedish footballer who plays for AZ in the Eredivisie.-Career:After playing for a local club, he joined the youth team of IFK Göteborg in 2004, before being promoted to the senior team in 2005. He quickly made a name for himself with his hard tackles, fighting...
, he proceeded to push match referee Ruud Bossen. Douglas had already been fined and suspended by Twente for the original sending off.
International career
Douglas has yet to represent the Brazil national teamBrazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
. In September 2010 he said that although he would still prefer to represent Brazil, he felt this was unrealistic due to his lack of exposure playing in the Netherlands and that, if the opportunity were to arise, he would be interested in playing for the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
. He decided to begin the process of attaining Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
citizenship, a decision welcomed by national team manager Bert van Marwijk
Bert van Marwijk
Bert van Marwijk OON is the coach of the Netherlands national football team. He also played for Go Ahead Eagles, AZ, MVV, Fortuna Sittard, and other clubs, as well as for the Dutch national team. In 1982, he began his transition into coaching, retiring as a player in 1988 and becoming a full time...
. On 2 November 2011, he received his Dutch passport.