Maciel (footballer, born 1972)

Maciel Luiz Franco (born 15 March 1972 in Bandeira do Sul), also known as Maciel, is a Brazilian former professional football player. He is considered one of the best foreign players in the K-League.

Maciel

Personal information
Full name	Maciel Luiz Franco
Date of birth	(1972-03-15) March 15, 1972 (age 53)
Place of birth	Bandeira do Sul, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Centre back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1993–1996	União São João
1997–2003	Chunnam Dragons	133	(9)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of January 10, 2012

Career

Chunnam Dragons

Maciel spent seven years playing for South Korean K-League club Chunnam Dragons, from 1997 to 2003. He was awarded K-League Best Eleven for four straight seasons and won the K-League Best Defender of the Year in the 1998 season. He wanted to gain Korean citizenship before the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but abandoned his attempt eventually.

Club career statistics

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Korea Republic			League		FA Cup		K-League Cup		Total
1997	Chunnam Dragons	K-League	13	3	-		-		13	3
1998			17	1	-		10	0	27	1
1999			27	2	-		9	0	36	2
2000			25	0	-		11	1	36	1
2001			22	0	-		7	0	29	0
2002			19	2	-		8	0	27	2
2003			10	1	-		-		10	1
Country	Korea Republic		133	9	-		45	1	178	10
Total			133	9	-		45	1	178	10