Not too many players can claim to have alienated supporters and officials alike at both Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille, but André Luiz is nothing if not the master of the improbable.

Undoubtedly blessed with sublime talent on the pitch, the experienced playmaker seems cursed with rubbing people up the wrong way.

He began his career as a 19-year-old with local club Sao Paulo in 1993, before switching to city rivals Corinthians four seasons later in an act of confused loyalties he would later repeat on French soil. Determined to make his name in Europe, Luiz headed for Tenerife in 1997, and spent the next few seasons bouncing back and forth between Spain and Brazil, failing to find any kind of stability on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Marseille stepped in to break the cycle in 2001, eager to introduce fresh blood having flirted with relegation two campaigns running. Luiz quickly impressed and turned out in 22 Ligue 1 games for the Mediterranean outfit as they finished a far more respectable ninth in the standings.

By that time, however, the natural left-footer was being booed by the Stade Vélodrome faithful. Just weeks after announcing, "I see myself staying at Marseille for a long time, four years at least," he had signed for the sworn enemy from the capital. Bought for £6.8m by then-Coach Luis Fernandez in 2002, Luiz endured a torrid season at the Parc des Princes and soon became associated with Fernandez's profligate spending.

He failed to adapt to PSG's style of play, and when new boss Vahid Halilhodzic came in, the Bosnian ear-marked Luiz as someone whose departure would ease the wage bill. Luiz refused to budge, though, and the club accused him of holding them to ransom, with Halilhodzic adding that he was, "not worthy of wearing the PSG shirt."

Luiz finally moved back to Corinthians on loan in 2003, accusing Coach Vahid of not liking Brazilians and famously telling the press he was still a Marseille fan. After just six games for his new club, he terminated his contract and moved to Fluminese, all the while trying to set up a return to Ligue 1.

A few eyebrows were raised when Ajaccio brought him back to France at the beginning of the 2004/05 season, and a series of inconsistent displays as the Corsicans floundered near the foot of the table seemed to be confirmation for those who believe he is more trouble than he is worth.

Injury limited his contribution in 2004/05 too, but he still managed to score both goals in a 2-0 victory over his old club Marseille back in November.