Chelsea's first ever Brazilian goal scorer joined on the eve of the new Premier League season in 2007 after three years playing in Holland at PSV Eindhoven. Chelsea held the first option to sign him when he left.

The then 26-year-old international defender put his signature to a three-year deal and is an important reinforcement in a rearguard that has been holed badly by injuries over the last two campaigns.

His debut season provided 39 appearances in a Chelsea shirt, two more than John Terry and one more than Ricardo Carvalho, hinting at his importance to the squad.

Alex's first Chelsea goal came at Middlesbrough, thundering home a trademark powerful free-kick from 35 yards, which naturally became a Goal of the Season contender.

He followed that up with another at Rosenborg, before showing an altogether different part of his game with a fleet-footed one-two with Andriy Shevchenko against Aston Villa, which he finished with aplomb. That too earned commendation in the end of season awards.

Joined by Juliano Belletti, and briefly Luiz Felipe Scolari, he is a part of a developing Brazilian history at the Bridge.

Prior to PSV, Alex played in his homeland at Santos, the São Paulo club made famous around the globe by Pelé.

After moving to Europe, the young player was part of a side that won three consecutive Dutch league titles with a domestic double completed in 2004/05. In the Champions League of 2006/07 he made the headlines by heading the goal that knocked Arsenal out at the first knockout stage.

Having made his international debut in 2003, Alex was part of the Brazil side that won the 2007 Copa América, playing in the 3-0 defeat of Argentina in the Final. Absent from recent squads, he still harbours hope of a place in the World Cup squad this summer.

Last season was a mixed one, frustrations were aired at not getting a regular run in the side, but Alex also made clear he had no intention of leaving SW6 despite links with transfers abroad.

Prolonged injury to Carvalho provided a regular run in the side, and forays forward continued with goals coming against Sunderland and Coventry, the defender eventually making 41 appearances.

A hernia injury delayed his start to the current campaign, an operation in Brazil over the summer meaning he had to wait until the end of October to make a first appearance.

Now fully fit, he has an important role to play in the season's second half, and is likely to alternate with Carvalho alongside Terry.