Lucas Piazon

At 30 years old, Lucas Piazon has this physical status:

Lucas Domingues Piazon (born 20 January 1994) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Rio Ave., a Portuguese club on loan from Chelsea.

Primarily a striker early in his career, he has been deployed as a left winger, as an attacking midfielder, or in the hole behind him.

Early life

Piazon was born in So Paulo, to António Piazon, a trade representative, and Marizabel Domingues, a lawyer. He had a financially stable upbringing that allowed him to concentrate on both school and football at the same time. Both of Piazon's parents played a key role in his work. Juliana, a three-year-old boy, and a Chelsea fan from an early age, aspired to play for them some day.

Piazon's family immigrated to Paraná when he was young. At the age of eight, Piazon's football skills began to flourish. Like other Brazilian footballers (such as Zico and Ronaldinho), he took an interest in futsal (indoor football). He started playing for Coritiba. Piazon converted from indoors to field at the age of 11.

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Club career

Piazon began his work with Coritiba. In every youth tournament he competed in, he made an impression with them becoming the top scorer. In 2007, he transferred to Atlético Paranaense, a neighboring club. He failed in his second outing as Atlético reached the U-15 Copa do Brasil finals in 2008, which they then lost to So Paulo. Só Paulo was wowed by his appearance and made an offer. Piazon left his family behind in Curitiba and joined So Paulo at the age of 14. He began to attract international scouts in May when he helped Só Paulo sail through the Brazilian qualifiers for the Premier Cup (Nike Cup). He was also called up by Brazil's U-15s around this time. So Paulo and the Premier Cup finals were held in Manchester in August. Piazon scored in the 3–0 victory over Manchester United in the Group stage. In the final match, So Paulo advanced to defeat Werder Bremen.

Chelsea obtained the services of Piazon through a pre-contract in early 2011, but they were forced to fight off the interests of a number of the world's top clubs, including Italian team Juventus. Piazon will only play for the Chelsea senior team after 20 January 2012, when he became eligible to obtain a work visa, but the 2011 summer transfer window will begin, according to S. Paulo on March 15, 2011. Chelsea revealed a medical in London in early March 2011, ten days later, with Piazon passing a medical in London. Chelsea paid Piazon to £5 million, which could go up to £10 million depending on several terms. He was drafted to Chelsea in the 2011 summer transfer window and began playing for the reserves. "I chose Chelsea because] I like the Premier League," he said in an interview. "I think my playing style and my abilities are more suited to the Premier League."

Piazon made his reserve team debut against Fulham before claiming, "I am able to play in the Youth Cup now." Everybody knows I'm here to play, so my main goals for the season are to attend as many youth games as possible and perhaps even appear in the reserves as well, and I want to win the Youth Cup. "I am enjoying the company of Ramires, Alex, and, of course, David Luiz is my best friend here." It's great that he's so funny and joking about it." Piazon scored his first reserve goal in an away win over Arsenal just before full time with a solo effort, inside the box before firing it into the goal. He has scored twice in five games for the reserves and six for the youth team, most notably the champion in the FA Youth Cup match against Doncaster Rovers. He lifted the FA Youth Cup against Blackburn on May 9, 2012, but he was unable to score in the match.

Piazon obtained a work visa on January 20th, his 18th birthday, and became eligible to play for the Chelsea senior team. He signed a two-year contract extension on January 26, 2012, which will keep him with the club until 2017. Piazon was given the number 35 shirt, which had previously been worn by Juliano Belletti, after impressing at both the Under-18 and Reserve levels. He was an unadequate replacement on Chelsea's bench in their 1–1 league draw against Swansea City and their 3–3 draw with Manchester United on January 31, 2012, and he was an unoccupied substitute on the bench. "He [Piazon] has trained more with the first team," Chelsea boss André Villas-Boas said after the Manchester United game, which is very encouraging for him. Since being on the bench in the last two games, he's made some strides since arriving, and he's been on the bench in the last two games. He had no chance to apply, but he has done a great job in the reserves department, which is unfortunate. He is a player we should have a lot of respect for.

In his first season, Piazon was named Chelsea Young Player of the Year on May 10th. He was a member of the FA Youth Cup Final 24 hours earlier. "I am so happy, and I didn't know this." It has been a fantastic week for me. Since I first stepped in, David Luiz and Ramires have helped me a lot. I expect to be in Chelsea for a long time and will continue to work." He said no one would be surprised. He was named on the bench on the last day of the season in a home game against Blackburn Rovers, which Chelsea beat 2–1. He said he is looking forward to continuing his growth and would like to make the transition to senior life," he said. "I want to be in the main group, train with them every day, and if I have the opportunity to play some games." He continued to say that he had "always dreamed of playing for Chelsea."

Piazon was given the opportunity to prove himself by Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo after being put on tour in the United States, and he made his senior debut over Seattle Sounders in the 4–2 win. In his second senior Chelsea appearance, he scored the equalizer, earning Chelsea a 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain at Yankee Stadium. "It was great for me, it was special," the forward said later. Piazon defeated the MLS All-Stars 3–2 in the 2012 MLS All-Star Game, being an unused replacement in the following fixture, with Fernando Torres playing in a 1–0 loss to Milan.

Piazon was selected in Chelsea's 22-man Champions League squad, along with fellow Brazilians Oscar, David Luiz, and Ramires, and was voted ahead of Florent Malouda. Piazon made his Chelsea debut against Wolverham Wanderers, which resulted in a 6–0 win for the Blues, with Ryan Bertrand also assisting in the set up. Piazon played his second game in the League Cup against Manchester United on October 31, 2012, when Chelsea defeated Chelsea 5–4 after extra time with Piazon being inserted in the 55th minute. Eden Hazard was ruled out in the 55th minute. Piazon scored a goal in the United States' sweeping 6–0 victory over Molde on November 8th in the NextGen Series. Brad Guzan saved his Premier League debut against Aston Villa on December 23. He scored a goal for Ramires and took a penalty kick but it was not saved by Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Piazon was loaned to Spanish La Liga side Málaga until the end of the season during the 2013 transfer window. On January 24, 2013, he made his Málaga debut and returned as a replacement in the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Barcelona, who was defeated 4–2 on home. In a 1–0 home victory over Athletic Bilbao on February 16, he assisted Javier Saviola's winner. Piazon scored in a 1–1 draw against Real Valladolid on March 9, 2013, his second assist for Málaga with a free-kick that found Martn Demichelis.

Piazon was loaned to Vitesse, the Evie team, until the 2013-14 season. In a 1–1 draw at Roda JC on August 17, he made his Vitesse debut on August 17th. Piazon scored his first goals in his career and Vitesse on September 22nd, scoring a brace in the 3–0 victory over PEC Zwolle at home. Piazon won Vitesse's 92nd minute in the 92nd minute against NEC, ending 3–2 on September 29. Vitesse came from 2–0 down to win 3–2 at Heerenveen on October 19th, 2013 as he scored a brace and assisted Patrick van Aanholt's winner. Piazon scored two goals at Go Ahead Eagles in a 3–0 victory on November 24. Vitesse scored another goal in Vitesse's game against PSV on December 7, 2016 — Vitesse defeated Vitesse 6–2 to remain at the top of the Economy table.

Piazon joined Frankfurt on loan from July 24th, 2014, to the 2014-15 season. In a 4–2 friendly victory over Sampdoria on August 2, he scored his first goal.

Piazon made his Bundesliga debut against SC Freiburg on August 23rd, a 1–0 triumph. Stefan Aigner's first Bundesliga goal came off the bench in the 86th minute against Hamburger SV on September 28. He won by 21-0.

Piazon joined Reading on a season-long loan contract on August 31, 2015. In a 5–1 victory over Ipswich Town as a 77th-minute replacement for Matj Vydra, he made his debut and provided an assist to Oliver Norwood on his debut on September 11th. In a 2–1 victory over Burnley, he scored his first goal for Reading. Piazon returned to Chelsea on April 28, 2016, a week before his loan agreement was set to end.

Piazon joined Fulham on a season-long loan on August 31, 2016, joining Chelsea teammate Tomás. In a 2–1 EFL Cup loss to Bristol City on September 21, he made his Fulham debut and scored his first goal for the club.

Piazon's loan at Fulham was extended until the end of the season on January 17th. Piazon's loan was renewed for a second season on July 14, 2017.

Piazon sustained a fractured ankle injury in his right leg after a tackle from Leeds player Conor Shaughnessy in their 0–0 draw at Elland Road on August 15, 2017. He underwent successful surgery and recovery.

He joined Chievo Verona on loan in January 2019. He played four times before returning to Chelsea.

He joined Rio Ave on loan until the end of the 2020–21 season in September 2019.

Piazon signed for Portuguese side Braga on January 14, 2021. He has committed to a four-year deal with the club. He scored a goal in a 2–0 victory over Benfica in the Taça de Portugal Final on May 23, 2021.

Piazon returned to his home country after 11 years, as he was announced at Botafogo on loan until June 2023.

International career

Both under the age of 15 and under the age of 17. He helped his team finish second in the South American Under-15 Football Championship of 2009 in Bolivia, being the top goalcorer with ten goals.

Piazon kicked the ball with such power that it broke through the sidenetting of the goals in a match that resulted in a score that ended in 2–1. In a 3-3 draw against the Ivory Coast in 2011, he scored in a 3–3 draw.

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