Introduction
Luís Carlos Novo Neto (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈlwiʒ ˈnɛtu]; born 26 May 1988) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Russian club FC Zenit Saint Petersburg as a central defender.
Club career
Born in Póvoa de Varzim, Neto joined hometown Varzim SC's youth ranks at the age of ten. With the club he played exclusively in the second division, being a backup or third-choice in four of his five seasons; his official debut came on 10 February 2007 in a 2–1 home win against S.L. Benfica for the campaign's Portuguese Cup (two minutes played).
In July 2011, Neto signed with Primeira Liga side C.D. Nacional on a free transfer. He immediately made an impact for his new team, attracting interest from the likes of FC Porto and Arsenal during the following off-season; however, Italy's A.C. Siena eventually won the bid to acquire the player, for €1.7 million.
Neto was an undisputed starter during the first half of the season, scoring his first goal in Serie A in a 1–3 home defeat against A.S. Roma. On 1 February 2013, however, he moved clubs and countries again, joining compatriots Bruno Alves and Danny at FC Zenit Saint Petersburg. He scored his first goal for the Russians on 19 May, netting his team's first in an eventual 3–1 home win over FC Volga Nizhny Novgorod.
International career
Neto appeared with the Portugal under-21 team at the 2009 Lusophony Games. He played all four matches during the tournament, as they collected the silver medal.
On 4 October 2012, Neto was called up for the first time to the full side, for 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Russia and Northern Ireland. He only made his debut on 6 February of the following year, however, partnering Zenit teammate Alves in a 2–3 friendly loss with Ecuador in Guimarães.
On 19 May 2014, Neto was named in the final 23-man squad for the tournament in Brazil, being an unused member in an eventual group stage exit.
Club statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Varzim | 2006–07 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2007–08 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 2 | |
| Total | 53 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 58 | 2 | |
| Nacional | 2011–12 | 25 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 1 |
| Siena | 2012–13 | 20 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | |
| Zenit | 2012–13 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 14 | 1 | |
| 2013–14 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 7 | 0 | 34 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15 | 20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16 | 22 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | 7 | 0 | 33 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | 22 | 0 | ||
| Total | 91 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 133 | 1 | |
| Career total | 187 | 4 | 20 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 235 | 4 | |
Honours
Club
- Russian Premier League: 2014–15
- Russian Cup: 2015–16
- Russian Super Cup: 2015, 2016
Individual
- Segunda Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year: 2010–11