
Date of birth November 2, 1980 (age 30)
Place of birth Canelones, Uruguay
Height 1.88 m
Weight 84 kg
Playing position Centre back
Diego Alfredo Lugano Moreno (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈdjeɣo luˈɣano]; born November 2, 1980 in Canelones) is a Uruguayan international football central defender. He currently plays for Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Super League. Lugano has previously played for Plaza Colonia, Nacional and São Paulo. He is also captain of the Uruguayan national football team, and was selected the best captain in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Career
São Paulo
After Oswaldo de Oliveira left the club in late 2003, Lugano started playing matches more frequently. In 2005, while playing for São Paulo as a centre-back, he led his team to titles in the Campeonato Paulista, the Copa Libertadores, and the FIFA Club World Championship in Japan. That same year, Lugano was recognized as South America's best defender. His leadership skills[2] and his willingness to fight for ball possession have raised his profile amongst São Paulo's supporters, where he is still highly regarded. Lugano has also mentioned that he still maintains a good relationship with the club.
In 2006, he helped his club to the runner-up stage of the Copa Libertadores.
Fenerbahçe SK
Lugano joined Fenerbahçe on 21 August 2006 for a reported €7.5 million and signed a 3+1 year contract. He and former teammate Edu Dracena's powerful defensive abilities helped Fenerbahçe win the league during the club's 100th anniversary year. He is notorious for his presence in attack, as shown with current club Fenerbahçe, having scored goals with headers from dead ball situations and support of the forward line. He became a fan favorite with his defensice tenacity and spectacular dead ball goals. Supporters refer to him as 'TOTA' (Talento, Orgullo, Tecnico, Ambicion - Talent, Pride, Skillfulness, Ambition in Spanish). Following a red card, he was suspended for 5 weeks after the derby match against Galatasaray during the 2008–09 season when he beat Emre Aşık on 12 April 2009 in Ali Sami Yen Stadium. Since then he has a strong connection with supporters, especially the Genç Fenerbahçeliler.
He signed a new 4-year contract in 2009 with Fenerbahçe.
Personal life
Lugano is married to Karina Roncio and has three children: Nicolás, Thiago and Bianca. Nicolás, the oldest child, plays for Fenerbahçe youth teams. Thiago and Bianca were born in Istanbul. He has cited the defenders Hugo de León and Paolo Montero as his personal football heroes.
