Top 10 Brazilians who have played for Shakhtar
Alex Teixeira
The striker arrived from Vasco de Gama to Shakhtar aged 20, in 2010, for 6 million euros. Teixeira couldn't stop scoring in Ukraine and was eventually signed up this February by Chinese side Jiansu Suning for 50 million euros. A profitible negotation for the Ukrainian side.
Willian
The current Chelsea star didn´t rise from nothing. He was shaped and developed during his time at Mircea Lucescu's Shakhtar, where he played for six seasons, from 2007 until 2013. Aged just 19, Shakhtar paid 14 million for him, but ultimately cashed out when they sold him for 35 to Anzhi, the club where he spent a short time before completing his move to Chelsea.
Elano
The man who was once one of the most promising Brazilian stars also played for Shakhtar. In fact, it was the Ukranian side who brought him to Europe in 2005, aged 23, for 7.5 million euros. He was in Donetsk for 2 and a half years before moving to Manchester City for 12 million euros.
Eduardo
The Brazilian who became a Croatian national arrived in Europe with Dinamo Zagreb, where he played for 8 years. After 3 rather disappointing seasons at Arsenal, Shakhtar paid the english club 13.5 million for him. He spent 4 years with the Ukranian side, in which he developed into a club favourite, before he left for a year to play for Brazilian side Flamengo. Since the summer of 2015, he has returned to play, and to score for Shakhtar.
Fernandinho
Currently one of the most rated central midfielders in the Premier League, the Brazilian Fernandinho was another of Shaktar's great dealings. He arrived from Atletico Paranaense in 2005, aged 20, and he left in the summer of 2013 for Manchester City, who paid 40 million for him. He has been a great signing, and is a key and talented player for Manchester City.
Luiz Adriano
The centre forward who was signed in March of 2007 by the Ukranian side. He had exceled with Sport Club Internacional from Porto Alegre and he had shined in the Club World Cup when Internacional beat Barcelona a few months before. They only paid 3 million euros for him, but made a profit when selling him in the summer of 2015 for 8 million to Milan. Another successful negotiation for the Ukranians.
Jadson
In the winter of 2005, the central midfielder was one of the first Brazilians to arrive at the club. He was 21 years old, and nobody would have imagined her would have made history at the club. It was him who scored the crucial goal which sent Shakhtar to the final of the Europa League against Werder Bremen. He arrived for 5 million from Atletico Paranaense and he left 7 years later, for 4 million to Sao Paulo. Today he plays in China.
Matuzalem
The Brazilian defensive midfielder, and a football globetrotter, arrived in Europe in Italy, and when he signed for Shakhtar Donetsk, he was already a star. Not in vain, the Ukranians paid 14 million euros for him, although within three seasons they managed to sell him to Zaragoza for 14.5 million. Previously, he had matured in Italy, however his best years were at Donetsk. Now he plays in Miami.
Douglas Costa
The destablising Brazilian footballer spent 5 and a half seasons at Shakhtar. He arrived from Gremio in January of 2010, aged just 19, and developed into a real footballing figure in Ukraine under Lucescu. After paying 8 million for him, the Ukranians sold him to Pep Guardiola's Bayern this summer for 30 million, a great negotation. However undoubtedly the Bayern ace is worth more today. Is he the best player to have ever played for Shakhtar?
Brandao
Shakhtar brought Brandao to European Football, a powerful striker who achieved great fame during his spells at both the Ukranian club and also at Olmypique. Always surrounded by controversy, and with a strong character, he arrived in 2002 - before Lucescu - at Shakhtar and remained there until 2009, when he left for Olympique for 6 million. He was valued at only 1 million when he arrived at Iraty.
