Brazilian international midfielder Allan was signed at the end of Carlo Ancelotti’s only summer transfer window as Everton boss as the Italian sought to make the club into a top of the table force once more.

The move reunited the manager and midfielder, after they had shared a productive relationship at Napoli, where the club twice finished runners up with Allan running its midfield.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Allan’s youth appearances for Madureira, a club from the northern Rio suburbs that compete in the Rio state championships, earned him a move to Vasco da Gama aged 18. At Vasco, Allan played an essential role in the team’s midfield, helping them win the 2011 Copa do Brasil. His displays caught the attention of European scouts, and in 2012 he made the leap to Italy by signing with Serie A side Udinese.

At Udinese, Allan became a key player, known for his tenacious tackling, stamina and ability to disrupt opposition attacks. He made 116 appearances for the club over three seasons, earning a reputation as one of Serie A’s most reliable defensive midfielders. His success at Stadio Friuli led to a €10 million transfer to Napoli in 2015.

Allan’s time at Napoli marked the peak of his career. Under coaches like Maurizio Sarri and later Ancelotti, he flourished as part of Napoli's midfield engine. His ability to break up play, combined with his sharp passing and positional intelligence, made him indispensable to the team. Napoli finished runners-up in Serie A twice during his time in Naples and Allan was central to their performances. In 2018, he was called up to the Brazilian national team, earning the first of ten caps in a friendly against Uruguay.

Primarily a defensive midfielder, Allan’s strengths lay in his tackling, interceptions and workrate. A relentless presser who excelled at breaking up opposition play and regaining possession for his team, his tactical awareness and ability to read the game allowed him to position himself effectively, making him a vital cog in the midfield of any team he represents.

His £21 million transfer to Everton in September 2020 reunited him with Ancelotti. Allan made an immediate impact at Goodison, bringing much-needed stability and aggression to the midfield. His performances were instrumental in Everton’s strong start to the 2020/21 season, where they briefly topped the Premier League table. His ability to shield the defence allowed more expansive players, such as James Rodriguez, to thrive.

However, his time at Everton was not without challenges. Injuries disrupted his debut season, limiting his appearances, but whenever fit, Allan was a fixture in the starting XI. Then, following Ancelotti’s departure as manager in summer 2021, he found himself victim of uncertainty cast by the relegation battle Rafa Benitez’s disastrous appointment as manager plunged the club into.

Harshly sent off in a dramatic relegation six-pointer against Newcastle in March 2022, he became an increasingly peripheral figure as the 2021/22 season reached its dramatic denouement. Subbed off in a 2-0 derby defeat in April 2022 it marked his last appearance in an Everton shirt. He was sold the following September to Al Wahada in the UAE Pro League, where he spent two years before returning to his native Rio with Botofogo.