Profile

Abel Xavier became the second player in recent history to join Liverpool from Everton (Nick Barmby being the other) and he got off to a good start.

He played in seven countries; Portugal, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, England, Turkey and the USA.

He didn't score in 49 games for the Blues but it took him only 16 minutes to strike on his debut for Liverpool at Ipswich. He became the 75th player in Liverpool's history to net on his debut but he was the first defender to do so since Alec Lindsay in 1969.

He took full part in Liverpool's adventures immediately after his transfer and was also in the starting line-up at the beginning of the 2002-2003 season but then he dropped out of the first-team picture. Xavier was loaned out to Galatasaray in Turkey and Houllier said he was not to return.

Xavier had short spells in Germany and Italy with Hannover and Roma respectively but returned to English football when he signed a deal with Middlesbrough in November, 2006. He made more league appearances for Middlesbrough (18) than he had made for Liverpool (14).

Just after the end of the 2006-07 season, it was announced that he would be going to the United States to join the Los Angeles Galaxy and he made his debut for the M.L.S. club against Real Salt Lake on the 17th of June, 2007.

Other clubs:
Estrela Amadora, Benfica, Bari, Real Oviedo, PSV Eindhoven, Everton, Galatasaray (loan), Hannover 96, AS Roma, Middlesbrough, LA Galaxy (USA)