Pro Football Player Denilson Signs with 888poker

8 years ago
Denilson Signs with 888poker
16:18
27 Mar

Former Brazilian footballer Denilson has been snapped up by 888poker as a brand ambassador as was announced recently, becoming the only non-poker pro in the site’s stable.


Of his new role for 888poker, the Brazilian said:

888poker is one of the biggest and best poker platforms in the world, so I am very proud to become an 888poker ambassador. I hope it will help develop my own pokers skills as well as encourage new players to get involved in this exciting game.”

With poker in Latin America, and Brazil in particular, witnessing a huge book, it is little surprise that sites such as 888 are interested in such well-known stars. Both Reynaldo and Neymar were snapped up by PokerStars, and with Denilson appearing for the opposition it’s clear that Brazil is a main focus.

Of the announcement, Itai Pazner, Senior Vice President & Head of B2C at 888 Holdings stated:

Denilson played football with skill, enthusiasm, and energy, bringing happiness to millions. We’re delighted to have signed him up as an ambassador because we want poker players to approach the game in a similar way. It is a game of skill, it takes practice and intelligence, but we also want our players to have fun and enjoy themselves along the way.”


Denilson’s humble beginnings on the green felt were explained by the former crowd favorite as such:

All my friends started to play poker, so I got more and more interested in the game. Many of the qualities you need to be a successful footballer can help you improve your poker game.”

DenĂ­lson de Oliveira AraĂșjo was once the most expensive footballer in the world, a ÂŁ21.5 million transfer taking him from SĂŁo Paulo FC to the Spanish side Real Betis in 1998. Denilson also represented his country 61 times at an international level and was part of the 2002 World Cup that took place in Japan and South Korea.

On the poker front, the new signing will join the likes of Bruno ‘Foster’ Politano, Bruno Kawauti, and Nicolau Villa-Lobos as Brazil's Team888 players.


888poker have previously, in the footballing/poker ambassador stakes, signing Uruguay’s controversial striker Luis Suarez in 2014. The deal proved short-lived however, with the gambling site dropping the player following his 3rd biting incident on the field.

A statement on 888poker.com at the time read:

888poker signed Luis Suarez following a fantastic season for which his achievements were widely recognised. Regrettably, following his actions during Uruguay's World Cup match against Italy on Tuesday, 888poker has decided to terminate its relationship with Luis Suarez with immediate effect."


Although it’s likely that Denilson will be keen to get his teeth into the new ambassadorial role, 888poker shouldn’t have to worry too much about his conduct.

What may be worrying, however, is the number of poker sites who have mistaken the legendary footballer for his younger namesake, DenĂ­lson Pereira Neves, who represented Arsenal and the Brazilian national junior side!


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Andrew from Edinburgh, Scotland, is a professional journalist, international-titled chess master, and avid poker player.Read more

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