Zé António
Encyclopedia
José António dos Santos Silva (born 14 March 1977 in Torres Vedras
), known as Zé António, is a Portuguese
professional footballer who plays as a central defender.
, being snapped in 1998 by top division giants Futebol Clube do Porto. However, he never represented other than its B-team, during the first half of 2000–01, and went on to play on loan for Leça F.C.
and F.C. Alverca
, after which he was definitively sold to the latter in January 2001.
After another top level season, with Varzim SC (which ended in relegation), António joined Académica de Coimbra and played there from 2003–05, forming an interesting defensive partnership with Tonel
(later of Sporting Clube de Portugal) in his first season.
Avoiding relegation with Académica at the end of the 2004–05 season, António took advantage of his outrunning deal to join Borussia Mönchengladbach
in the Bundesliga
, on a deal lasting for two initial seasons. An undisputed starter throughout 2005–06, António opened his goalscoring account in just his fourth league appearance with the German
side, on 10 September, heading the winner in a 2–1 home success over MSV Duisburg
.
The left-footed was surprisingly included in the preliminary squad of Portugal
for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
, but in the end failed to make it into the final 23 of Luiz Felipe Scolari
for the tournament. He would amass 64 games and three goals in two seasons, with Borussia suffering relegation at the end of his second season.
After having made no appearances in 2007–08's (second division
), in January 2008, Zé António moved on loan to Turkey
's Vestel Manisaspor for six months. At the end of June, he moved to Spain
and signed a two-year contract with La Liga
side Racing de Santander
.
In early December 2009, after having appeared only in one Copa del Rey
match for the Cantabria
ns, against Real Murcia
, his spell at the club also including a demotion to the B team
, António rescinded his contract. In early January 2010, he returned to his country, joining União de Leiria.
Zé António only missed one league game in 2010–11 as Leiria once again managed to retain its top division status. In June 2011, the 34-year old left the club.
Torres Vedras
Torres Vedras is a city and a municipality in the district of Lisbon, Portugal, about 50 km north of Lisbon. It belongs to the Oeste subregion and the Centro region.The municipality covers an area of 405.89 km² distributed over 20 freguesias...
), known as Zé António, 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...
professional footballer who plays as a central defender.
Football career
Zé António began playing football for hometown S.C.U. TorreenseS.C.U. Torreense
Sport Clube União Torreense was founded in Torres Vedras in 1917, with the original name Sport União Torreense. It participated 6 times in the Portuguese Liga and its best result was two seventh final places , coincidentally the team's first two years in the top flight...
, being snapped in 1998 by top division giants Futebol Clube do Porto. However, he never represented other than its B-team, during the first half of 2000–01, and went on to play on loan for Leça F.C.
Leça F.C.
Leça Futebol Clube, better known as Leça FC or simply Leça, is a Portuguese football club located in the town of Leça da Palmeira, Matosinhos. Founded in 1912, they currently play in the Portuguese Second Division and, in the previous season of 2007-08, they finished 10th in the division...
and F.C. Alverca
F.C. Alverca
Futebol Clube de Alverca is a Portuguese football club based in Alverca do Ribatejo, Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon. Founded on 1 September 1939, it currently plays in the Lisbon District Championships.-History:...
, after which he was definitively sold to the latter in January 2001.
After another top level season, with Varzim SC (which ended in relegation), António joined Académica de Coimbra and played there from 2003–05, forming an interesting defensive partnership with Tonel
Tonel
António Leonel Vilar Nogueira Sousa, aka Tonel , is a Portuguese footballer who plays for GNK Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia, as a central defender.-Porto / Marítimo:Coming through the youth teams of F.C...
(later of Sporting Clube de Portugal) in his first season.
Avoiding relegation with Académica at the end of the 2004–05 season, António took advantage of his outrunning deal to join Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach is a German association football club based in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia. The team plays in the Bundesliga and is one of the country's most well-known, well-supported, and successful teams. Borussia Mönchengladbach has over 40,000 members and is the sixth...
in the Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
, on a deal lasting for two initial seasons. An undisputed starter throughout 2005–06, António opened his goalscoring account in just his fourth league appearance with the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
side, on 10 September, heading the winner in a 2–1 home success over MSV Duisburg
MSV Duisburg
MSV Duisburg is a German association football club based in Duisburg, North Rhine-Westphalia. Nicknamed "the Zebras" for their traditional striped jerseys, the club was one of the original members of the Bundesliga when it was formed in 1963.-Early years:...
.
The left-footed was surprisingly included in the preliminary squad of Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
, but in the end failed to make it into the final 23 of Luiz Felipe Scolari
Luiz Felipe Scolari
Luiz Felipe Scolari , ComIH , also known as Felipão in Brazil and Phil Scolari in the United Kingdom, is a World Cup-winning Brazilian football manager. He is currently the manager of Palmeiras. He served as the manager of the Portuguese national team from July 12, 2003 to June 30, 2008...
for the tournament. He would amass 64 games and three goals in two seasons, with Borussia suffering relegation at the end of his second season.
After having made no appearances in 2007–08's (second division
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
), in January 2008, Zé António moved on loan to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
's Vestel Manisaspor for six months. At the end of June, he moved to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and signed a two-year contract with La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
side Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
.
In early December 2009, after having appeared only in one Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
match for the Cantabria
Cantabria
Cantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
ns, against Real Murcia
Real Murcia
Real Murcia Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the region of Murcia. Founded in 1908, it currently plays in the second division, playing home matches at Estadio Nueva Condomina, which can hold 33,045 spectators....
, his spell at the club also including a demotion to the B team
Racing de Santander B
Real Racing Club de Santander B, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1926, it is the reserve team of Racing de Santander, and currently plays in Tercera División - Group 3, holding home games at Instalaciones de La Albericia,...
, António rescinded his contract. In early January 2010, he returned to his country, joining União de Leiria.
Zé António only missed one league game in 2010–11 as Leiria once again managed to retain its top division status. In June 2011, the 34-year old left the club.