Hulk Profile

Givanildo Vieira de Souza, better known as Hulk, will make his World Cup debut in South Africa in 2010. The muscular forward lives up to his nickname with his strength, aggression and power, and is certain to be one of the crowd favourites come the 2010 Football World Cup.

Playing Position: Striker
Club: Porto
Jersey Number: 12

Hulk Bio

Givanildo Vieira de Souza was born in Campina Grande, Brazil in July of 1986. As a youngster the Brazilian was an avid fan of Marvel’s ‘Incredible Hulk’ comic books, and his mother soon began using the superhero’s name as a nickname for her son.

Hulk soon proved that he had more in common with his hero than a name. As a youngster he showed precocious talent, and his physical, powerful style soon earned him a place at the Vilanovense youth club in Portugal.

Hulk Career

After spending 2 years at Vilanovense, Hulk returned to Brazil to play for Sao Paolo. The youngster spent a season in the capital before securing his first professional contract with Esporte Clube Vitória, where he spent another two seasons – rarely appearing in the starting line-up.

Desperate to play first team football, Hulk took the radical step of moving to Japan to play in the J League. The youngster originally signed with Kawasaki Frontale, but was loaned off after just one season, spending a season with Consadole Sapporo before joining Tokyo Verdy.

Once ensconced at Tokyo Verdy, Hulk’s career began to flourish, and the Brazilian went on to net 37 goals in 42 appearances for the club during the 2007 football season. Tokyo Verdy promptly signed Hulk, but he would make only 7 further appearances for his club before FC Porto lured him to Portugal with a large cash offer.

Hulk is one of the newer faces in the Brazilian National Football Team, and made his debut for his country late in qualifying for the 2010 Football World Cup.

Hulk Playing Style

Hulk is a versatile forward, who has a winger’s tendency to break down the sidelines in order to fire in crosses to other forwards. His short but muscular stature allows him to use force to break through opposition defences, and his skills on the break are backed up by a thunderous boot.