Ederson Moraes

Ederson Santana de Moraes is known to football fans worldwide simply as Ederson. A key part of the current Manchester City team, he is one of the most valuable goalkeepers in the world, having cost the club £35 million in 2017. He is also a world-record holder, having achieved the longest drop-kick ever recorded — an incredible 247 feet — at Manchester City’s training ground. Among his many accolades are the 2019-20 Golden Glove Award, given to the Premier League keeper with the most clean sheets in a season (Ederson kept 16). In 2019, he was also shortlisted for the FIFA FIFPro World XI and Best FIFA Men’s World Goalkeeper Award.

Ederson was born in Osasco, Brazil in 1993. His career began at Sao Paolo before moving to Portuguese side Benfica aged 16. Let go by Benfica, he was snapped up by Portuguese second-division side Ribeirao, with whom he turned professional. He then moved to Primeira Liga side Rio Ave, helping them to finish league runners-up in 2013-14. The following season, he was re-signed by Benfica. He soon became their first-choice keeper, and in his two seasons with them, he helped them to win back-to-back league titles, the Taca de Portugal, and the Taca de Liga. When he was signed by Manchester City in June 2017, he became the most expensive goalkeeper in England and the second-most-expensive goalkeeper of all-time. He repeated his Benfica success by winning back-to-back league titles in his first two seasons.

Unsurprisingly, Ederson has been capped by his native Brazil. He made his full debut during the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers and has remained a vital part of the team ever since.