Jefferson de Oliveira Galvão, simply known as Jefferson (born 2 January 1983), is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Having begun his career at Cruzeiro and spent time on loan at Botafogo, Jefferson then spent four seasons in the Turkish Süper Lig in service of Trabzonspor and Konyaspor before returning to Botafogo. He is one of the eight footballers with the most appearances Botafogo club history, with 459 between the years of 2003 to 2005 and 2009 to 2018.
A former world champion at under-20 level, Jefferson made his senior debut for Brazil in 2011 and was named in their squads for two Copa América tournaments, the 2014 FIFA World Cup and their victory at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Club career
Early career and Brazil Born in São Vicente, São Paulo, Jefferson was an amateur sprinter before joining Ferroviária's youth setup in 1995, aged 12. He was a forward during his starts at the club, but was reconverted to goalkeeper in the process.
In 1997, Jefferson joined Cruzeiro after a successful trial period.Jefferson foi velocista e ajudante de palhaço antes de chegar à Seleção (Jefferson was a sprinter and clown helper before getting to Seleção); G1, 24 May 2014 He was called up to the first-team three years later by Luiz Felipe Scolari.
In 2003, after committing a number of high-profile mistakes at Cruzeiro, he was loaned to Botafogo in the same division.
Turkey In the summer of 2005, Jefferson joined Turkish Süper Lig team Trabzonspor in a four-year deal as a replacement for Australian goalkeeper Michael Petkovic.Jefferson resmen Trabzonspor’da (Jefferson officially in Trabzonspor); NTV, 7 July 2005 He made his debut abroad on 8 June, starting in a 2–1 home success against Kayserispor.Trabzonspor 2–1 Kayserispor; TFF, 8 June 2005
After three full seasons with Trabzonspor, he moved to Konyaspor, in the same division,Jefferson Konyaspor'da (Jefferson in Konyaspor); LIG TV, 10 July 2008 but could not prevent their relegation in his only season.
Botafogo On 25 August 2009, Jefferson returned to Botafogo on a free transfer.Botafogo acerta com Jefferson, e goleiro pode ser apresentado nesta sexta (Botafogo signs Jefferson, and goalkeeper may be presented this friday); Globo Esporte, 25 August 2009 He made his second debut for the club on 13 September, keeping a clean sheet in a home draw against city rivals Fluminense.Bota e Flu empatam e seguem abraçados na zona de rebaixamento (Bota and Flu draw and keep embraced in the relegation zone); Globo Esporte, 13 September 2009
Jefferson appeared in further 14 matches in the season as Botafogo narrowly avoided relegation. On 18 April 2010, he saved a penalty from Adriano, which granted his side's title of Campeonato Carioca.Botafogo vence, espanta "freguesia" e leva título antecipado (Botafogo wins, amazes "clientage" and gets anticipated title) ; Terra, 18 April 2010
On 28 June 2011, Jefferson signed a contract extension through to the end of 2014.Jefferson prorroga contrato com o Botafogo até 2014 (Jefferson extends contract with Botafogo until 2014); Diário Lance!, 28 June 2011 He was also elected the best goalkeeper of that year.
International career Jefferson was a starter for the Brazil under-20 team which became world champions in 2003, in the United Arab Emirates. In July 2011, he was called up to the main squad ahead of 2011 Copa América, acting as a backup to Júlio César, who started in all matches.
On 14 September 2011, he made his first international appearance with the main squad, starting in a 0–0 draw at Argentina, for that year's Superclásico de las Américas.Superclássico? Argentina e Brasil fazem jogo sem sal (Superclássico? Argentina and Brazil play a boring game); Diário Lance!, 14 September 2011 Jefferson also started in the second leg, a 2–0 home success.Brasil derrota Argentina e fatura Superclássico das Américas (Brazil defeats Argentina and wins Superclássico de las Américas); O Estado de S. Paulo, 29 September 2011
Jefferson was named to the 23-man squad ahead of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup,World Cup 2014: Kaka and Robinho omitted from Brazil squad; BBC Sport, 7 May 2014 both on home soil, with Brazil winning the Confederations Cup and reaching the semi-finals in World Cup. Jefferson played in Brazil's 2–0 win over Argentina in the 2014 Superclásico de las Américas in Beijing, saving a penalty from Lionel Messi. He was Brazil's starting goalkeeper at the 2015 Copa América, playing every minute as they reached the quarter-finals, losing in a penalty shoot-out against Paraguay.
Personal life Jefferson is known for being a devout Christian. On 22 October 2017, he was the victim of a carjacking when he was forced from his vehicle at gun point on his way to training in Rio de Janeiro. He was unharmed during the incident and his vehicle, a black Range Rover, was recovered by police later that day.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCruzeiro20001700000001702001100000809020029012000230440Total27012000310700Botafogo (loan)20032000000020200442030001005502005803000120230Total5206000220800Trabzonspor2005–062601020—2902006–071502000—1702007–08301000—40Total4204020—500Konyaspor2008–0918000——180Botafogo2009150—40—190201036040—1505502011300603015054020123005020200570201326090001705202014270208030400201526040001004002016001000180190201760100000702018130101080230Total209033018010603660Career total330055020015905660
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBrazil201140201220201330201440201590Total220
Honours Cruzeiro Copa Sul-Minas: 2001, 2002 Supercampeonato Mineiro: 2002
Botafogo Rio de Janeiro State League: 2010, 2013, 2018 Taça Guanabara: 2010, 2013, 2015 Taça Rio: 2010, 2012, 2013 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2015
Brazil FIFA Confederations Cup: 2013 Superclásico de las Américas: 2011, 2012, 2014
Brazil U20 FIFA World Youth Championship: 2003
Individual Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 2011, 2014
References
External links CBF profile