Eduardo (footballer, born 1983)

Eduardo Alves da Silva, commonly known as Eduardo or Dudu, was born on February 25, 1983. He is a former professional footballer who made his mark as a striker, representing both club teams and the Croatia national team. His journey in football began at Bangu Atlético Clube, his hometown club in Brazil, before he transitioned to the youth ranks of Dinamo Zagreb.

During his time at Dinamo Zagreb, Eduardo showcased his scoring prowess, netting an impressive seventy-three goals in one hundred and nine league appearances. This remarkable performance caught the attention of Arsenal, who signed him for a transfer fee of seven point five million pounds in 2007. Unfortunately, his career at Arsenal was marred by a serious leg injury, leading to his departure to Shakhtar Donetsk in 2010 after three seasons.

Eduardo's international career began when he took up Croatian citizenship in 2002. He made his debut for the Croatia national team on November 16, 2004, as a second-half substitute in a friendly match against Ireland. His talent was recognized by national team coaches, leading to his selection for significant tournaments such as UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. With twenty-nine goals to his name, Eduardo ranks as Croatia's fifth highest goalscorer in history.