By OneNil
January 22 2003

A fans favourite at Bescot, the Brazilian striker brings excitement and goals to Walsall's play with his flare and unpredictably. Has forged a deadly partnership with Jorge Leitao so far this season although he is still adapting to the rigours of English football.

25. Jose Luis Guimaraes Sanabio (Junior)

Personal Details.

Date of Birth : n/a

Height : n/a

Weight : n/a

Date Joined : 31.8.02

Career Details.

Club	League Appearances	FA Cup	League Cup	Other
(Belgium)	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Ajaccio (France)	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Fc Trezze (Brazil)	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Walsall	16 (6)  8goals	2(0)	3  1goal	n/a

 

Walsall Career

Following an unsuccessful trial spell at Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 2002, the 26 year old striker linked up with Colin Lee at Walsall and scored in a pre-season friendly against Malawi. Briefly returned to his club in Brazil but with the Saddlers struggling for goals early on in the season, Lee eventually got his man when the FA stepped in to help gain international clearance for the striker. Junior initially signed on loan until January 18th but has since extended the deal until the end of the season. 

He struggled to adapt early on, failing to score in his first five appearances. However, he broke his goal scoring duck in a League cup game away at Forest and hasn't looked back from there. The Brazilian, with freshly dyed blond hair scored one of the greatest goals ever seen at Bescot against Preston when he picked up the ball in his own half, rode a few tackles before he cut inside and curled the ball into the top corner from 25 yards. Junior has since scored in six consecutive Bescot appearances including the first goal in front of the new Purple Stand in a game against Gillingham.

Attributes

Flamboyant and not afraid to try the spectacular, he is a regular goal scorer with bags of skill. The Brazilian likes to run at defences and possesses a magical left foot. Not the greatest at heading, tackling, using his right foot or tracking back, under the guidance of Colin Lee - a former striker himself - Junior is quickly learning to adapt to English football.