The News of the World story is a bit over-exaggerated, but not too far from the truth.

Dudu was 15 when his agent Suzano (pretty dodgy character) brought from Rio to Zagreb. It was in January and it was minus 10 degrees Celsius and twelve inches of snow, so you can imagine the shock for a young Brazilian who just came from hot sands of Copacabana!

Despite the snow (the first in his life), strange language and unknown team-mates, Dudu showed his class and club decided to give him a chance, so he unpacked his bags in a country far away from his Brazil. His agent suddenly left him all alone (imagine that!) and Dudu was left with nothing, no money, no passport, no friends, just the club. It's true that he lived on stadium premises, but only for a while, certainly not in cold (although it was chilly for someone who just came from southern hemisphere). I know that, from a journalist's point of view, it sounds more effective that he was freezing to death, but it's just not true.

He outclassed his team-mates in cadet and junior categories and was given a chance for the seniors (professionals, a-team) which he blew because he was seriously injured but didn't tell anyone about it! He was scared he would be dismissed and sent back to Brazil! Imagine that willpower, he was suffering great pain and didn't say a word. Luckily, his injury was picked up by the coaches and he was sent for an immediate operation. He recovered well and no one held a grudge for keeping the injury to himself. He showed us he has the will for big things.

So, Dudu made it as a pro. His debut was in the Croatian Supercup (our version of Community Shield). Dudu came on as a sub and immediately scored against our arch rivals Hajduk Split (by the way, In their trophy room there's trophy that was given to them by ManU as a reminder of ManU's biggest euro-defeat - it was 6-0 for Hajduk!). The legend was born!

Unfortunately, due to the incompetence of our various managers, Dudu was either sub or on loan. He was even called Da Svila (in Croat, svila=silk) instead of Da Silva. Now he's called Da Sila (in Croat, sila=force, power)!

To cut a long story short, Dudu met a beautiful local girl, got married, had a kid, became Croatian citizen, won an U21 cap and all the time he couldn't stop scoring!

It was shame that Pompey's Niko Kranjcar's dad was our national team manager for World Cup 2006, because he didn't care about Dudu (wasn't in our World Cup team) but only for his fat, slow son....

He was our captain, this year league's top scorer and top assister (the year before he was second scorer, but only because he didn't take penalties).

Dudu is a friendly guy, regular next-door-neighbour type, simple but very determined, injury-resistant, very cool finisher, quick and unpredictable dribbler, but best of all - he 's got nose for goal!

All of us in Croatia hope he'll get his chance and quickly adapt to the Premiership and if he does that you'll get a new idol.

As for us, there are plans to retire his number 24 jersey, but the only thing guaranteed is – and we're counting days – is his return to Dinamo. He promised it, and we know he'll keep up on his word!

Go Gunners, Go Dudu!

(Ed’s note – It seems an appropriate opportunity to re-produce some of the best chant suggestions submitted for our new signing, so without futher ado, or indeed dudu, here are some of your offerings…)

From: Chopper
Tune: Hi Ho Silver Lining (Jeff Beck)
Hi ho Da Silva's signing
Every where we go
You'll see the sun is shining
when he scores a goal
Oh it's obvious.....

From: estro62
Tune: De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da (The Police)
Dudu Dudu, De Da Da Da,
Eduardo scores for Arsenal !

From: Jesper Arnsbjerg
Tune: 500 Miles (The Proclaimers)
I would walk 500 miles
and I would walk 500 more
just to be the man who walks a thousand miles to see Eduardo score
dudududu dudududu

From: ‘Sicc’
Tune: Who Are You? (The Who)
Eduardo
Dudu, Dudu
He’s really gonna score!