Getting To Know: Maxwell

Full name: Maxwell Scherrer Cabelino Andrade
Squad No: 19
Position: Left back
Date of birth: 27 August 1981
Place of birth: Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Brazil
Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight: 81 kg (179 lbs)

Maxwell Cabelino Andrade was born in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, the capital of a municipality of the same name. He started playing football at a nearby football academy for the Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. Maxwell was never a regular for Cruzeiro's, but he became a player to watch for.

Maxwell was a very talented youngster and during an international youth tournament, scouts from Ajax noticed him. The Dutch wasted no time and immediately made his signing a priority. After the clubs agreed on a transfer fee of just over €3 million the 20 year old signed a five yeur contract.

As soon as Maxwell joined the Godenzonen he had a place in the starting XI and he became one of Ajax's most used players. In April 2005 he suffered an ACL tear in his right knee and was sidelined for eight months. He never played for Ajax again, leaving his club totals at 147 games played and nine goals scored

Maxwell returned to full fitness in January the following year, but he was let go by the Dutch side and joined Internazionale on a free transfer. With his arrival, Inter exceeded the non-EU player registration quota, so he was loaned to Empoli until the end of the season. The purpose of his stay with the Azzurri was to get settled in the area and Italian culture, he didn't play in any of the remaining matches.

At the end of the 2005-06 season Maxwell officially joined Inter. At first he wasn't playing as much as he expected, but after the first year he became a regular starter at left-back. But he wasn't just limited to that position, he also played as a left winger. Maxwell was with the Italians for three years, during which he helped the team win five trophies. He appeared in 92 games with the Nerazzurri and scored twice.

In July 2009, Barcelona and Internazionale reached an agreement, with Maxwell joining Barcelona for an initial €4.5 million, but depending on clauses that were added to the contract the fee could reach €5 million. In Barcelona, Maxwell was second on the depth chart at left-back, behind Eric Abidal, but injuries on the back-line presented him with an opportunity to prove himself.

He performed admirably, but in his second season with the club he battled injuries of his own and has lost playing time to Adriano Correia. In almost two full seasons with Barcelona Maxwell amassed 73 appearances and one goal.

Maxwell's international career never really took of. He was a member the Brazilian U-23 squad, but he has no appearances for the senior team. He was called up to the Seleção during the 2006 World Cup Qualifying stages, but he did not make it on the pitch.

Profile

Maxwell is an attacking minded left back, but he can just as easily play as a left winger. He is a tireless worker and offers pace down the flank, but he also has a powerful left footed shot. Defensively Maxwell struggles with consistency, his positioning isn't world class and his tackling also isn't brilliant so many attackers find it easy to get by him

Honors
Ajax Amsterdam

Internazionale

FC Barcelona

Individual

Upon arrival at the Camp Nou in 2009 Maxwell signed a four year contract, with a buyout clause set at €50 million. The contract also includes an option for a fifth year, depending on the number of appearances in his fourth year.

Next week: Barcelona's newest addition, Ibrahim Afellay

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