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João Paulo (footballer, born June 1981)

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João Paulo Andrade (born 6 June 1981), known as João Paulo, is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played mainly as a central defender.

Full name João Paulo Andrade[1]
Date of birth (1981-06-06) 6 June 1981 (age 45)[1]
Place of birth Leiria, Portugal[2]
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Quick facts Personal information, Full name ...
João Paulo
Personal information
Full name João Paulo Andrade[1]
Date of birth (1981-06-06) 6 June 1981 (age 45)[1]
Place of birth Leiria, Portugal[2]
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position Centre-back
Youth career
1992–1994 Portomosense
1994–1999 União Leiria
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2006 União Leiria 131 (16)
2000–2001 → União Tomar (loan)
2003 → Sporting CP (loan) 6 (0)
2006–2009 Porto 11 (1)
2008–2009 → Rapid București (loan) 26 (3)
2009–2010 Le Mans 23 (0)
2010–2012 Vitória Guimarães 45 (1)
2012–2014 Omonia 43 (6)
2014–2015 Apollon Limassol 19 (3)
2015–2016 AEL Limassol 28 (1)
2017–2019 Marinhense 48 (5)
2019–2024 Castrense 80 (17)
Total 460 (53)
International career
2002–2004 Portugal U21 12 (1)
2004 Portugal U23 1 (0)
2004–2005 Portugal B 3 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Portugal
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Third place2004 Germany
* Club domestic league appearances and goals
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He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 193 matches and 18 goals over nine seasons, almost all while at the service of União de Leiria (five years). He also played in Romania, France and Cyprus.

Club career

A product of U.D. Leiria's youth academy, Leiria-born João Paulo was loaned to modest U.F.C.I. Tomar for 2000–01, re-joining Leiria the following season, being coached by a young José Mourinho and quickly becoming an important first-team member, while also being called by the Portugal under-21 side. In January 2003, having already gained the captain's armband, he was loaned to Sporting CP, but appeared sparingly for them.[3][4]

After having performed solidly during the last two seasons, João Paulo was tipped to be transferred to one of the Primeira Liga greats and, in June 2006, FC Porto agreed his transfer. However, in preseason, he suffered a major knee injury that kept him out of action for several months,[5] and went on to only serve as third or fourth option at the northerners; on two rare starts, he netted in a 3–0 win at his former club Leiria[6] and was sent off in the 2008 final of the Taça de Portugal, lost against Sporting.[7]

In July 2008 João Paulo, alongside teammate Cláudio Pitbull, was loaned to Romania's FC Rapid București, joining compatriot José Peseiro whom signed as manager.[8] In August of the following year he moved countries again, signing a three-year deal with Le Mans UC 72 in France for about €1,5 million.[9] He began the campaign as a starter, but eventually lost his importance after the sacking of compatriot Paulo Duarte, going on to suffer Ligue 1 relegation.

João Paulo returned to Portugal for 2010–11, joining Vitória SC.[10] On 3 April 2011 he scored his first goal for the Guimarães-based team, netting a last-minute equaliser against his former side Sporting in a 1–1 home draw.[11]

On 2 March 2017, after four seasons in the Cypriot First Division in representation of three clubs, the 35-year-old João Paulo returned to his homeland and joined amateurs A.C. Marinhense, where he played mainly as a forward.[12]

International career

Career statistics

As of 10 April 2016
More information Club, Season ...
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
União Leiria 1999–2000[16] Primeira Liga 0010—10
2000–01[16] Primeira Liga 0000—00
2001–02[16] Primeira Liga 17000—170
2002–03[16] Primeira Liga 19321—214
2003–04[16] Primeira Liga 324214[a]0385
2004–05[16] Primeira Liga 32521—376
2005–06[16] Primeira Liga 31410—324
Total 13116834014319
Sporting CP (loan) 2002–03[16] Primeira Liga 6010—70
Porto 2006–07[16] Primeira Liga 30100040
2007–08[16] Primeira Liga 81502[b]0151
Total 1116020191
Rapid București (loan) 2008–09[17] Liga I 253001[a]0263
Le Mans 2009–10[17] Ligue 1 23031—261
Vitória Guimarães 2010–11[17] Primeira Liga 22161—282
2011–12[17] Primeira Liga 230413[a]0301
Total 45110230583
Omonia 2012–13[17] Cypriot First Division 2225000272
2013–14[17] Cypriot First Division 214302[a]1265
Total 4368021537
Apollon Limassol 2014–15[17] Cypriot First Division 193106[a]0263
AEL Limassol 2015–16[17] Cypriot First Division 28130—311
Career total 3313140618138938
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  1. Appearances in UEFA Europa League/UEFA Cup

Honours

References

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