José Fonte
Encyclopedia
José Miguel da Rocha Fonte (born 22 December 1983 in Penafiel
) is a Portuguese
footballer who plays for Southampton
in the Football League Championship
, as a central defender.
After playing for a host of teams in his country, he spent the vast majority of his career in England
, where he represented Crystal Palace
and Southampton
.
. In 2004, he signed with Sport Comércio e Salgueiros but the club was in several financial difficulties and ended shortly after. As a result, he terminated his contract and transferred to F.C. Felgueiras, in the second level
.
In the 2005 off-season, Fonte made his top flight debut with Vitória de Setúbal
, where his performances attracted the eye of national powerhouse Sport Lisboa e Benfica, who signed him in January 2006, immediately loaning him out to fellow first-division side F.C. Paços de Ferreira; he finished the season with 26 league appearances and one goal, as both Paços and Setúbal managed to maintain its division status.
Fonte spent the 2006–07 season on loan to C.F. Estrela da Amadora, still in the top division, only missing five league games as the Lisbon
-based club finished in ninth position.
in England
, being introduced in the side's starting XI after a run of injuries. The move was made permanent at the end of the season, as Palace finished fifth and qualified to the promotion playoffs.
Fonte continued to feature regularly with the London
-based club in the following Football League Championship
seasons, inclusively appearing as a makeshift striker when required.
on 9 January 2010, for a fee believed to be around the reion of £
1.2 million, signing a three-and-a-half year contract. He made his debut one week later, alongside two other recent signings, Jon Otsemobor
and Danny Seaborne, in a 1–1 draw at Millwall
. His first goal for the Saints came on 28 August 2010, in a 4–0 away win against Bristol Rovers
.
After scoring six league goals and help Southampton gain promotion to the second level, Fonte was named in the League One Team of the Year for the 2010–11 season
. He was also voted Southampton's Player of Year, achieving 64% of the overall vote, with Adam Lallana
coming second with 18% and Dan Harding
finishing third (7%).
Statistics accurate as of match played 1 May 2011
1. Includes Taça de Portugal
and FA Cup
.
2. Includes Taça da Liga and League Cup
.
3. Includes other competitive competitions, including Football League Trophy
.
, is also a footballer. A forward, the two shared teams at Sporting (youth) and Crystal Palace.
Penafiel, Portugal
The city of Penafiel had, as of 2001, a population of 9,343. It is located in Penafiel Municipality, that has 71,801 inhabitants....
) is a Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
footballer who plays for Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
, as a central defender.
After playing for a host of teams in his country, he spent the vast majority of his career in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, where he represented Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
and Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
.
Portugal
Fonte finished his football formation (after already having played there from ages 10–13) at Sporting Clube de Portugal, but only appeared with the reserve side as a senior, in the third divisionPortuguese Second Division
The Portuguese Second Division is a football league in Portugal, situated at the third level of the Portuguese football league system...
. In 2004, he signed with Sport Comércio e Salgueiros but the club was in several financial difficulties and ended shortly after. As a result, he terminated his contract and transferred to F.C. Felgueiras, in the second level
Liga de Honra
The Liga de Honra , known for sponsorship reasons as the Liga Orangina, is the Portuguese second level football league. It was formerly called Segunda Divisão and Segunda Divisão de Honra . When the LPFP took control of the two nationwide levels, it was renamed Segunda Liga, before renaming it...
.
In the 2005 off-season, Fonte made his top flight debut with Vitória de Setúbal
Vitória F.C.
Vitória Futebol Clube is a Portuguese sports club from the city of Setúbal. Popularly known as Vitória de Setúbal with the motto "A Vitória será nossa" .- Domestic :*Portuguese Liga: Runners-up 1971–72...
, where his performances attracted the eye of national powerhouse Sport Lisboa e Benfica, who signed him in January 2006, immediately loaning him out to fellow first-division side F.C. Paços de Ferreira; he finished the season with 26 league appearances and one goal, as both Paços and Setúbal managed to maintain its division status.
Fonte spent the 2006–07 season on loan to C.F. Estrela da Amadora, still in the top division, only missing five league games as the Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
-based club finished in ninth position.
Crystal Palace
In 2007, Fonte moved on loan to Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, being introduced in the side's starting XI after a run of injuries. The move was made permanent at the end of the season, as Palace finished fifth and qualified to the promotion playoffs.
Fonte continued to feature regularly with the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
-based club in the following Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
seasons, inclusively appearing as a makeshift striker when required.
Southampton
Fonte signed for SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
on 9 January 2010, for a fee believed to be around the reion of £
Pound sign
The pound sign is the symbol for the pound sterling—the currency of the United Kingdom . The same symbol is used for similarly named currencies in some other countries and territories, such as the Irish pound, Gibraltar pound, Australian pound and the Italian lira...
1.2 million, signing a three-and-a-half year contract. He made his debut one week later, alongside two other recent signings, Jon Otsemobor
Jon Otsemobor
Jon Otsemobor is an English professional footballer, currently playing for Sheffield Wednesday. Born in Liverpool, right back Otsemobor has notably played for Crewe Alexandra, Norwich City and Southampton, and was signed by Sheffield Wednesday on 1 July 2010.-Liverpool:Otsemobor signed for...
and Danny Seaborne, in a 1–1 draw at Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
. His first goal for the Saints came on 28 August 2010, in a 4–0 away win against Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
.
After scoring six league goals and help Southampton gain promotion to the second level, Fonte was named in the League One Team of the Year for the 2010–11 season
2010–11 Football League One
The 2010–11 Football League One is the seventh season of the league under its current title and nineteenth season under its current league division format...
. He was also voted Southampton's Player of Year, achieving 64% of the overall vote, with Adam Lallana
Adam Lallana
Adam David Lallana is an English footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Championship club Southampton. Born in St Albans, Lallana began his career with Southampton as a youth player in 2000...
coming second with 18% and Dan Harding
Dan Harding
Daniel Andrew "Dan" Harding is an English footballer who currently plays as a left back for Championship club Southampton...
finishing third (7%).
Club statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup1 | League Cup2 | Europe | Other3 | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sporting B | 2002–03 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | ||||||
| 2003–04 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 0 | |||||||
| Total | 59 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 0 | |||||||
| Felgueiras | 2004–05 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 | |||||||
| Vitória Setúbal Vitória F.C. Vitória Futebol Clube is a Portuguese sports club from the city of Setúbal. Popularly known as Vitória de Setúbal with the motto "A Vitória será nossa" .- Domestic :*Portuguese Liga: Runners-up 1971–72... |
2005–06 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |||||||
| Paços Ferreira | 2005–06 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | |||||||
| Estrela Amadora | 2006–07 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 1 | |||||||
| Crystal Palace Crystal Palace F.C. Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in... |
2007–08 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 1 |
| 2008–09 | 38 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 4 | |
| 2009–10 2009–10 Football League Championship The Football League Championship season 2009–10 is the sixth season of the league under its current title and eighteenth season under its current league division format... |
22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 1 | |
| Total | 84 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 92 | 6 | |
| Southampton Southampton F.C. Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club... |
2009–10 2009–10 Football League One The Football League 2009–10 , was be the seventeenth season under its current league division format. It began in August 2009 and ended on 8 May 2010.... |
21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Football League One The 2010–11 Football League One is the seventh season of the league under its current title and nineteenth season under its current league division format... |
41 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 7 | |
| Total | 62 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 70 | 7 | |
| Career total | 284 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 292 | 16 | |
Statistics accurate as of match played 1 May 2011
1. Includes Taça de Portugal
Taça de Portugal
The Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
and FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
.
2. Includes Taça da Liga and League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
.
3. Includes other competitive competitions, including Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
.
Team
Southampton- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
: 2009–102009–10 Football League TrophyThe Football League Trophy 2009–10, known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy 2009–10 for sponsorship reasons, is the 26th Football League Trophy, a knockout competition for English football clubs in Leagues One and Two, the third and fourth tiers of English football.The format is similar to that which... - Football League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
: Runner-up 2010–112010–11 Football League OneThe 2010–11 Football League One is the seventh season of the league under its current title and nineteenth season under its current league division format...
Individual
- PFA Team of the Year: 2010–11 League One2010–11 Football League OneThe 2010–11 Football League One is the seventh season of the league under its current title and nineteenth season under its current league division format...
Personal
Fonte's younger brother, RuiRui Fonte
Rui Pedro da Rocha Fonte is a Portuguese footballer who plays for RCD Espanyol in Spain, as a winger or forward.-Club career:...
, is also a footballer. A forward, the two shared teams at Sporting (youth) and Crystal Palace.