LuÃs Carlos Novo Neto is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for FC Zenit Saint Petersburg in the Russian Premier League. His profile is that of a defender. Neto joined hometown's Varzim SC's youth ranks at the age of ten. With the club he played exclusively in the second division; his official debut came on 10 February 2007 in a 2â1 home win against S.L. Benfica for the campaign's Portuguese Cup. In July 2011, Neto signed with top level outfit C.D. Nacional on a free transfer. Inspite of interests from likes of F.C. Porto and Arsenal, Italian side A.C. Siena eventually won the bid to sign the player, for âŦ1.7 million. Neto was an undisputed starter during the first half of the season, scoring his first goal in Serie A in a 1-3 home defeat against A.S. Roma. Neto appeared with the Portuguese under-21 team at the 2009 Lusophony Games. He played all four matches during the tournament as the side collected the silver medal.
