André Silva (footballer, born 1997)

Rio Ave

Born in Taboão da Serra, São Paulo, Silva began playing with local CA Diadema [pt] before joining Rio Ave in Portugal. He was first called up for a senior game on 3 February 2018, remaining unused in a 5–1 Primeira Liga loss at Benfica.^[1] His debut came the following 28 January in a 2–0 win at Marítimo, as a 67th-minute substitute for compatriot Murilo;^[2] he and another Brazilian Ronan had been called up by manager Daniel Ramos due to shortages through injuries and transfers.^[3]

Arouca

In 2019, Silva joined Arouca in the third-tier Campeonato de Portugal.^[4] He played 12 games as the team were promoted having led their group when the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic; he scored once, the first senior goal of his career, in a 9–0 home win over bottom side Ginásio Figueirense on 8 March 2020.^[5]

Silva scored eight goals in 27 games as Arouca came third in Liga Portugal 2 in 2020–21; this included two on 21 February 2021 in a 4–0 win at Académico de Viseu.^[6] On 26 May, in the Primeira Liga promotion/relegation playoff first leg at home to former club Rio Ave, he concluded a 3–0 win (5–0 aggregate).^[7]

Arouca came 15th on their return to the top flight in 2021–22, two points above a relegation play-off place. Silva played 31 of 34 games, all but one as a starter, and scored nine goals, a record for a player from his club in one Primeira Liga season; the previous best was Walter González with seven in 2015–16.^[8] He opened and closed the scoring in a 2–2 draw at Tondela on 19 March 2022,^[9] and scored twice in four second-half minutes in a 2–1 win over Gil Vicente on 2 April at the Estádio Municipal de Arouca; for his second goal of that game, he lobbed goalkeeper Žiga Frelih from 65 metres.^[10] The goal later won the Primeira Liga Goal of the Season for the 2021–22 Primeira Liga.^[11]

Vitória Guimarães

In the summer of 2022, Braga made an offer for Silva, that was far below his €5 million buyout clause. Their Minho rivals Vitória de Guimarães then signed him on 15 July, paying €1 million for 25% of the player's economic rights, with the option to increase the share to 80%; his contract was to 2026.^[12]

Silva made his debut on 21 July 2022 in his first European game, a UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round first leg at home to Puskás Akadémia of Hungary; he played the first 65 minutes of the 3–0 win (also the aggregate) before being substituted another Brazilian debutant, the unrelated Anderson Silva.^[13] He scored the only goal in the first two games of the domestic league season, to give his team victory at Chaves and at home to Estoril Praia in August.^[14][15]

São Paulo

On 29 February 2024, Silva was announced as a reinforcement for São Paulo FC. After competition from Vasco da Gama, the athlete opted for the club, which will pay €3.5 million for federative rights.^[16]