Former Arsenal title-winner and technical director at Sixfields for Rotherham game

The 48-year-old Brazilian, who played 16 times for his country, was part of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ team in the 2003/04 season and also represented Valencia and Corinthians during his playing career. Since retiring, he’s worked as technical director at Arsenal and then became Nottingham Forest’s Global Head of Football in 2025.

Edu’s connection to SAC is not clear but it is thought he’s currently working in some kind of advisory or consultancy role. The consortium’s takeover is expected to go through this week and, when it does, more information and details regarding their plans for the club will be made clear. Interestingly, though, Edu was recently appointed to the board of directors at Bulgarian side Levski Sofia.

Atanas Bostandjiev, who was one of three people deemed ‘suitable’ by the Independent football Regulator to own Northampton, is the majority owner of Levski Sofia. The team are currently top of the Bulgarian league and will be competing in the Europa League this season.

"Throughout my life I have been used to making good decisions," said Edu following his appointment. "At the beginning I started to get to know the people in this project. It all started with getting to know who was involved in this project. I don't know if you knew, but I spent a long time here to understand you, the club, the press. Then I started to work with you. Then they invited me to be a member of the board.

"When they invited me, I said to myself: 'Why not?' I am sure that I can contribute to this project. For me, it is a new country, new friends, a new owner. That makes me excited. That is why I am here. I am very excited to be part of this project."

Edu is also credited for playing an important role in the appointment of Mikel Arteta as Arsenal manager and helping lay the foundations for their recent success.