Afonso Taira
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Afonso Miguel Castro Vilhena Taira[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 17 June 1992[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Cascais, Portugal[1] | ||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Abha | ||
| Number | 6 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2002–2003 | Internacional Almancil | ||
| 2003–2006 | Estoril | ||
| 2006–2011 | Sporting CP | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011–2014 | Córdoba | 2 | (0) |
| 2012–2014 | → Atlético (loan) | 67 | (2) |
| 2014–2017 | Estoril | 64 | (1) |
| 2017–2018 | Ironi Kiryat Shmona | 31 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | Beitar Jerusalem | 17 | (1) |
| 2019–2020 | Hermannstadt | 10 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | B-SAD | 32 | (0) |
| 2021–2023 | Casa Pia | 56 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | Al-Kholood | 33 | (1) |
| 2024–2025 | Al Batin | 27 | (1) |
| 2025– | Abha | 13 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 2007–2008 | Portugal U16 | 5 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | Portugal U17 | 11 | (0) |
| 2010 | Portugal U18 | 3 | (0) |
| 2011 | Portugal U19 | 8 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 14:34, 19 January 2026 (UTC) | |||
Afonso Miguel Castro Vilhena Taira (born 17 June 1992) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Saudi Arabian club Abha as a defensive midfielder.
Born in Cascais, Lisbon, Taira joined Sporting CP's youth system in 2006 (aged 14) from neighbouring G.D. Estoril Praia.[2] He made his professional debut in 2011 with Córdoba CF in the Spanish Segunda División, signing a three-year contract[3] but making only three competitive appearances during his only season in Andalusia.[4]
In 2012–13, Taira returned to his country after being loaned to Atlético Clube de Portugal of the Segunda Liga.[5] The move was extended for the following campaign.[2]
Taira returned to his former youth club Estoril on 8 June 2014, after agreeing to a four-year deal.[6] He played 13 Primeira Liga matches in his first year, in an eventual 12th-place finish.
Taira scored his only Portuguese top-flight goal on 24 October 2015, in a 2–2 home draw against Rio Ave FC.[7] On 19 July 2017, he signed with Israeli Premier League team Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona FC,[8] and a year later Beitar Jerusalem F.C. in the same competition.[9]
After spending the 2019–20 season in the Romanian Liga I with FC Hermannstadt,[10] Taira joined top-tier B-SAD on a two-year contract.[11] On 31 August 2021, he moved to Casa Pia A.C. one league below,[12] totalling 28 games in his first season (24 in the league, one assist) to help to a return to the main division after 83 years away.[13][14]
In June 2023, Taira signed with Saudi First Division League club Al-Kholood Club.[15] He remained in the country and league the following seasons, with Al Batin FC[16] and Abha Club.[17]
