Wed 16 Jan 08
Newcastle 4
Stoke 1
Goal

Mon 22 Oct 07
Newcastle 3
Tottenham 1
Goal

Birthplace: Lavras, Brazil
Date Signed: August 3, 2007
NUFC Debut: August 18, 2007 v Aston Villa (h)

Honours
Minas Gerais State Championship 1997, Copa Conmebol Winner 1997 (Clube Atletico Mineiro); Brazilian Silver Ball Award winner 1999; French Ligue 1 Championship 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005; Trophee des Champions winner 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005; Coupe de la Ligue winner 2001(all with Olympique Lyonnais).

International Career
3 Brazil caps
International Debut
February 2000

He signed for United on 3 August 2007 on a free transfer from French Champions Lyon, agreeing a two year contract with an option for a third year.

Caçapa, who obtained French citizenship in October 2006, was the leader of the Brazilian pack at Olympique Lyonnais where as club captain for three seasons, he was widely regarded as one of the best central defenders in Lique 1, demonstrating a solid, powerful, muscular and versatile presence in the heart of the defence.

Caçapa joined Lyon on a six-month loan from Brazilian side CA Mineiro in January 2001 and after impressing while helping the club win the French League Cup, was snapped up on a permanent contract that summer.

Caçapa was deployed both at right back and centre-half in his early days in France and made 15 appearances in 2001/02 as Lyon won their first French title. He made the central defensive position his own the following season as Lyon retained their crown.

Knee injuries restricted his appearances over the course of the next two seasons, but he was back with a vengeance in 2005/06 when he began to establish himself as the charismatic figurehead of Lyon's miserly defence.

The ferocity of his tackles are respected as widely as the kindness and courtesy he displays away from the pitch. Caçapa, who won the last of his three caps for Brazil in July 2001, is one of only four players to have played a role in each of Lyon's five successive title triumphs between 2002 and 2006.

A bubbly and likeable character, the Brazilian is delighted to be donning a black and white shirt once again for those were the colours worn by his first club in Brazil, Altetico Mineiro.

He became the 1000th player to pull on the black and white shirt when he appeared for United as a substitute on 18 August 2007 at home to Aston Villa.