Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo, a 25-year-old Brazilian midfielder standing at 5’9″, currently contributes significantly to Unai Emery’s midfield at Aston Villa. Originally from the Vasco da Gama academy in Rio de Janeiro, he was signed by Manchester City in 2017 for 12 million euros at the age of 19. However, due to work permit issues, he never played a competitive match under Pep Guardiola. After successful loan spells with La Liga side Girona, he found a home at Aston Villa in July 2019.
Luiz, a gold medalist in the 2020 Summer Olympics Men’s Football Final, primarily plays as a central or defensive midfielder and has already scored six goals and provided two assists in the current season. Notably, he played a crucial role in a recent Conference League game against AZ Alkmaar.
Beyond his football achievements, Luiz is in a relationship with Alisha Lehmann. He was part of the squad that secured a runner-up position in the 2021 Copa America and won a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
With nine caps for Brazil and two goals in Villa’s recent 4-1 win over West Ham, Luiz stands out as the top-scoring Brazilian in Europe’s major leagues this season. His Brazilian flair adds excitement to the game, and alongside Ollie Watkins, he has become a vital part of Villa’s push for a top-six position.
Deployed both defensively and in an advanced role, Luiz showcases versatility in his playing style. While there are rumors of interest from Arsenal, his potential cost is speculated to be over £50 million, considering his impressive record of 168 games for Villa, with 18 goals and 16 assists. His performances suggest a likely future as a regular in the Brazilian national team.
