Rodrigo Souto

Rodrigo Souto
	Souto in 2008.
Personal information
Full name	Rodrigo Ribeiro Souto
Date of birth	September 9, 1983 (age 41)
Place of birth	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Defensive midfielder
Youth career
1998–1999	São Cristóvão
Senior career*
Years	Team
1999–2000	São Cristóvão
2000–2004	Vasco da Gama
2005–2006	Atlético Paranaense
2005–2006	→ Figueirense (loan)
2007–2009	Santos
2010–2011	São Paulo
2011–2012	Júbilo Iwata
2013	Náutico
2013	Figueirense
2014	Botafogo
2015	Penapolense
2016–2018	Resende
2018	Olaria
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Rodrigo Ribeiro Souto (born September 9, 1983) is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He has previously played for several Brazilian clubs as well as in Japan.

Playing career

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Rodrigo was a product of São Cristóvão youth (along with others such as Brazilian superstar forward Ronaldo). He earned a transfer to Vasco da Gama at only 17 years of age. Souto built his career in Vasco, initially playing as a defensive midfielder. However, the team back then put many players in that position on the lineup, and so Rodrigo was able to show his attacking skills. He then began to be deployed as a right attacking midfielder.

In such position, he made a move to Atlético Paranaense. Although he conquered Paraná State League in 2005, he did not establish himself as a regular and, after six months, switched clubs again, this time to Figueirense. There he again won the State league and again was deployed as a defensive midfielder, and even as a right back or sweeper in emergencies.

Santos

Souto's performance at Figueirense in 2006 earned him a transfer to Santos where he made a solid pairing with Chilean international, Claudio Maldonado. He was once again State League champion in 2007, with a really high grade on the final game. He had a great year with Santos in 2007, also finishing 2nd in the Série A.

In 2008, Santos did not perform well in all competitions but Souto continued as a first-choice player in the midfield. In 2009 Santos improved and Souto played well in the beginning of the Série A, scoring two headed goals against Goiás in the first round of the League. Santos however could not qualify for the Copa Libertadores of 2010.