Leonardo da Silva Souza (born 18 March 1992), known simply as Leonardo, is a Brazilian professional footballer. He operates as an attacking midfielder who can play on both flanks.
Leonardo arrived to Europe at an early age, making his senior debuts with Cypriot club Enosis Neon Paralimni in 2012. He subsequently moved to Ukrainian club Metalurh Donetsk in early 2013. After six months there, Leonardo switched to Azerbaijani club Gabala. He changed clubs and countries again in August 2014, joining Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. In the summer of 2016, Leonardo signed with Serbian club Partizan, helping them win the double in the 2016âÂÂ17 season.
A native of Paraná, Leonardo started out at local club Matsubara. He later moved to Belgium and joined the youth team of Beerschot. In April 2012, it was announced that Leonardo signed a three-year contract with Ukrainian club Tavriya Simferopol with an effective date of 1 July 2012. He eventually joined Cypriot side Enosis Neon Paralimni only a few months later. After promising performances in Cyprus, Leonardo made a return to Ukraine and signed with Metalurh Donetsk on a three-year deal in January 2013. However, due to player's third-party ownership with his agent Dmitry Selyuk, the Cypriot club did not receive any transfer fee.
On 13 July 2013, Leonardo joined Azerbaijani club Gabala on a one-year deal. He scored seven league goals from 31 appearances in the 2013âÂÂ14 season. They also finished as runners-up in the Azerbaijan Cup, losing on penalties to Neftçi after a 1âÂÂ1 draw.
On 10 August 2014, Leonardo signed a two-year contract with Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. He scored his first competitive goal for the club on his 23rd birthday, finding the back of the net in the 84th minute of a 5âÂÂ1 home league victory over Yenisey Krasnoyarsk. On 10 May 2015, Leonardo scored twice in a 3âÂÂ1 home win over Tyumen. He scored a total of seven league goals in his debut season in the country, helping the club win promotion back to the Premier League at the first time. On 22 August 2015, Leonardo scored his first RFPL goal in a 1âÂÂ1 draw with Ural Yekaterinburg, converting a second-half penalty. However, the club eventually terminated his contract on 25 February 2016, due to the player's disciplinary record.
In June 2016, it was announced that Leonardo agreed to join Serbian club Partizan on a three-year deal. He was officially presented two weeks later and assigned the number 42 shirt. On 24 July 2016, Leonardo made his competitive debut for Partizan, coming off the bench as a second-half substitute for Miroslav Radoviàin the goalless draw against BaÃÂka. He netted his first goal for the club on 20 August 2016, shortly after substituting Saà ¡a Iliàin an eventual 1âÂÂ2 away loss to Spartak Subotica. Seven days later, Leonardo scored from a direct free kick in a 4âÂÂ0 home league win over Rad.
On 17 September 2016, Leonardo scored the winning goal in the 89th minute of the Belgrade derby, giving his team a 1âÂÂ0 win at home. He subsequently found the back of the net in the next four games, including a remarkable goal in a 1âÂÂ0 away win over Metalac Gornji Milanovac. By the end of the year, Leonardo scored six more league goals, including two braces in two home wins over Napredak Kruà ¡evac (3âÂÂ2) in November, and Spartak Subotica (2âÂÂ0) in December.
On 18 April 2017, Leonardo scored a brace in the Belgrade derby, an eventual 3âÂÂ1 away success. He ultimately collected the domestic double in his debut season at Partizan. Due to his consistent performances in the process, Leonardo was named in the league's best eleven.
On 11 July 2017, Leonardo netted his first goal in UEFA competitions, giving Partizan a 2âÂÂ0 home win over BuduÃÂnost Podgorica in the first leg of the Champions League second qualifying round.
On 3 August 2017, Leonardo was transferred to Saudi club Al-Ahli for a fee of â¬4 million. He signed a two-year deal with an option for two more seasons.
In August 2018, Leonardo signed a two-year contract with Emirati club Al Wahda on a free transfer. He scored four goals to give his team a 4âÂÂ3 home victory over Al-Rayyan in the fourth round of matches in Group B of the AFC Champions League.
On 31 August 2019, Shabab Al-Ahli has signed Leonardo on free transfer.
Leonardo's older brother, Alan, is also a footballer.
In January 2016, during a vacation in his homeland, Leonardo was involved in a fatal road traffic accident whilst intoxicated.
Gabala
Partizan
Al Wahda
Individual