On this day (May 11) in 2007, Lucas Leiva began what was to be a decade-long Liverpool career.
The flowing locked Brazilian midfielder arrived on Merseyside as a 20-year-old from boyhood club Grêmio for a reported £5.4million (Transfermarkt).
Having arrived on the back of captaining his nations Under 20 team there was much intrigue as to what the youngster was capable of producing.
With the added seal of approval from South American football expert Tim Vickery, then manager Rafael Benitez must’ve believed the Reds had a real gem on their hands.
Twitter: #OnThisDay in 2007, @LucasLeiva87 became a Red
He went on to play 346 games for us
https://t.co/7GUUVlQeSj (@LFC)
After a debut appearance in a 4-0 home win over Toulouse in a UEFA Champions League qualifier, Lucas went on to represent the club with distinction on 346 occasions.
Despite being heralded for his ‘blistering shots from range’ following his arrival, the box to box midfielder only found the net seven times during his Anfield stay.
Albeit perhaps not the dazzling creative force many had expected or indeed hoped for, Lucas was a superb servant to the football club, albeit badly hit by a cruel injury blow in 2011.
Eventually sold in 2017 to Italian Serie A side Lazio, the now 34-year-old has played 34 times in all competitions this season.
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Lucas will be forever held in high regard by Kopites for his commitment, endeavour and work rate, qualities that are often hard to come by in the modern era.
Perhaps a player worthy of cult hero status, the 22-cap Brazil man will be able to retire one day knowing his playing legacy is fondly remembered by the Anfield faithful.
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