Soccer fans remember Eduardo da Silva for his silky finishing skills and his incredible resilience. He rose from humble beginnings in Brazil to become a star for Arsenal and the Croatian national team.
His career took a tragic turn with a horrific injury, but he fought back to play at the highest level again.
In this article, you will know Eduardo da Silva’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Eduardo da Silva’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eduardo Alves da Silva |
| Date of Birth | February 25, 1983 |
| Age | 42 |
| Education | Dinamo Zagreb Academy |
| Nationality | Croatian, Brazilian |
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Weight | 73 kg (161 lbs) |
| Turned Pro | 2001 |
| Net Worth | $15 Million (Estimated) |
| Salary/Career Earnings | $30 Million+ (Estimated Career Total) |
| Wife | Andrea Šok (Andrea da Silva) |
| Instagram Profile | @eduardo22dasilva |
| Twitter Profile | @EduardoDaSilva |
Early Career
Eduardo grew up in the Vila Kennedy neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He played street football like many Brazilian children and developed his skills in tight spaces.
His first organized club was CBF Nova Kennedy, where scouts noticed his natural talent for scoring goals. He later joined Bangu Atlético Clube, a historic team in Rio. The coaches at Bangu saw his potential but knew he faced tough competition in Brazil.
In 1999, a scout offered him a chance to move to Europe. Eduardo took the risk and traveled to Croatia to join Dinamo Zagreb’s youth academy at just 16 years old.
Life in Croatia presented many challenges for the young striker. He did not speak the language and struggled with the cold weather.
He missed his family deeply but focused entirely on football. Dinamo Zagreb loaned him to Inter Zaprešić in 2002 to gain experience. He shined there and scored 10 goals in 15 matches.
This performance convinced Dinamo Zagreb to bring him back to the first team. He quickly became the best player in the Croatian league. He scored 73 goals in 109 league appearances for Dinamo.
His goal-scoring ability earned him Croatian citizenship in 2002. He soon debuted for the Croatian national team and became a hero in his adopted country.
Professional Career
Eduardo’s amazing form in Croatia caught the attention of Arsène Wenger, the manager of Arsenal. The English club paid £7.5 million to sign him in July 2007. Eduardo adapted quickly to the Premier League.
He showed his class with sharp movement and clinical finishing. Fans loved his “fox in the box” style. He scored important goals and formed a dangerous partnership with Emmanuel Adebayor.
His first season looked promising until disaster struck in February 2008. A tackle by Birmingham City’s Martin Taylor broke Eduardo’s leg and dislocated his ankle. The injury shocked the football world and kept him out of action for a year.
Eduardo returned to the pitch in 2009 with incredible determination. He scored on his comeback against Cardiff City, an emotional moment for him and the fans. However, he struggled to regain his previous momentum at Arsenal.
In 2010, he moved to Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine. He found great success there and won multiple league titles. He played for Shakhtar for four seasons before moving to Flamengo in Brazil. He later played for Atlético Paranaense and Legia Warsaw.
He retired from professional football and now works as an ambassador and helps young players. He also invested in Gillingham Town, a club in England, showing his continued love for the game.
Wife
Eduardo met his wife, Andrea Šok, shortly after he arrived in Zagreb. She helped him learn the Croatian language and adapt to the new culture.
They fell in love and got married on December 10, 2005, in a ceremony in Zagreb. The couple has two children together. Their daughter, Lorena, came into the world in 2006.
Their son, Mateus, was born in 2011. Mateus follows in his father’s footsteps and plays football. He joined the youth academy of Flamengo, his father’s former club. The family splits their time between Brazil and Croatia.
Eduardo da Silva’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Eduardo da Silva has an estimated net worth of $15 million. He built this wealth through substantial player contracts in the Premier League and Ukrainian Premier League.
Contract
Eduardo signed his most lucrative deals during his prime years in Europe. Arsenal paid a £7.5 million transfer fee for him in 2007, and his contract reflected his status as a top striker.
After Arsenal, Shakhtar Donetsk paid around £6 million for his services in 2010. Shakhtar is known for paying high wages to attract Brazilian talent. Eduardo signed a four-year deal there. He later had shorter contracts with Flamengo and Legia Warsaw as he neared retirement.
Salary
At the peak of his career with Arsenal, reports suggest Eduardo earned approximately £50,000 per week. This equates to roughly £2.6 million per year. When he moved to Shakhtar Donetsk, he likely maintained a similar salary level, possibly with tax benefits common in Eastern European leagues at the time.
His salary decreased when he returned to Brazil to play for Flamengo, as South American clubs typically pay less than top European teams. However, his long career at the top level ensured he accumulated significant savings.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Estimated Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Arsenal | £2,600,000 |
| 2008 | Arsenal | £2,600,000 |
| 2009 | Arsenal | £2,600,000 |
| 2010 | Shakhtar Donetsk | £2,800,000 |
| 2011 | Shakhtar Donetsk | £2,800,000 |
| 2012 | Shakhtar Donetsk | £2,800,000 |
| 2013 | Shakhtar Donetsk | £2,800,000 |
| 2014 | Flamengo | £1,500,000 |
| 2015 | Flamengo | £1,500,000 |
| 2016 | Shakhtar Donetsk | £2,000,000 |
Career Stats
| Season | Club | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–2007 | Dinamo Zagreb | 109 | 73 |
| 2002–2003 | Inter Zaprešić (Loan) | 15 | 10 |
| 2007–2010 | Arsenal | 41 | 8 |
| 2010–2014 | Shakhtar Donetsk | 81 | 24 |
| 2014–2015 | Flamengo | 27 | 10 |
| 2015–2016 | Shakhtar Donetsk | 29 | 14 |
| 2017 | Atlético Paranaense | 2 | 0 |
| 2017–2018 | Legia Warsaw | 11 | 0 |
| Total | All Clubs | 315 | 138 |
| National | Croatia | 64 | 29 |
FAQs
1. What is Eduardo da Silva doing now?
He works as a football agent and ambassador. He helps young Brazilian players find clubs in Europe and serves as an ambassador for Gillingham Town FC in England.
2. Did Eduardo fully recover from his leg injury at Arsenal?
He returned to professional football and played for many years, but he admitted he lost some sharpness. He still won trophies with Shakhtar Donetsk after the injury.
3. Why did Eduardo play for Croatia instead of Brazil?
He moved to Croatia at age 16 and lived there for many years. He felt a strong connection to the country and accepted citizenship to play for their national team.
4. How many goals did Eduardo score for Arsenal?
Eduardo scored a total of 20 goals in 67 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal. He scored 8 goals specifically in the Premier League during his time there.
5. Who is Eduardo da Silva’s son?
His son is Mateus Alves da Silva. Mateus was born and currently plays in the youth academy of Flamengo, aiming to become a professional like his father.
