Rafael (footballer, born 1986)

Rafael

Personal information
Full name	Rafael Diego de Souza
Date of birth	(1986-07-08) 8 July 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth	Porto Alegre, Brazil
Height	1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005–2007	RS Futebol	0	(0)
2005–2006	→ Juventude (loan)	23	(0)
2007	→ Avaí (loan)	13	(0)
2008–2012	Avaí	51	(1)
2011	→ Lugano (loan)	2	(0)
2013–2014	Joinville	32	(1)
2014	Al-Ittihad Kalba	12	(0)
2015	Atlético Goianiense	17	(0)
2016	ABC	0	(0)
2016	Botev Plovdiv	0	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Rafael Diego de Souza (born 8 July 1986), commonly known as Rafael, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a defender.

Biography

Born in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Rafael was signed by RS Futebol in December 2004 along with his twin brother Cássio. They signed a 5-year contract. In March 2005 they were loaned to Juventude in 3-year contract. ^[1] He played 23 games in 2005 and 2006 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.

Avaí

In March 2007 Rafael joined Avaí until end of 2007 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B. In January 2008 he was signed permanently in 4-year contract. In his 3 years career with Avaí, he won 2009 and 2010 Campeonato Catarinense as well as finished as the third in 2008 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B and promoted. He played his 100 games for Avaí on 4 March 2010. ^[2] The club gave him a special award to him. ^[3]

In February 2011 he was signed by Swiss side Lugano. ^{[4] [5]} It was reported that he had been signed by Chunnam Dragons in June 2010 ^[6] but the deal fell through. ^{[7] [8]}

Botev Plovdiv

On 16 June 2016 Rafael joined Botev Plovdiv. ^[9] Due to an injury Rafael never took part in any official games.

Personal

Rafael played along with his twin brother Cássio ^[10] from 2005 to 2008.

Honours

Avaí

• Campeonato Catarinense: 2009, 2010

Individual

• Best centre back Campeonato Catarinense: 2010 ^[11]

References

1. "BID Acumulativo Série A /2005". Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (in Portuguese). 8 November 2005. Archived from the original on 29 May 2006. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
2. "No jogo número 100 de Rafael, Avaí recebe o Juventus". DIÁRIO CATARINENSE (in Portuguese). 4 March 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
3. "Emocionado, Rafael agradece a homenagem do Avaí pelos seus 100 jogos". ClicRBS (in Portuguese). 5 March 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
4. "RAFAEL DIEGO DE SOUZA IN BIANCONERO". FC Lugano (in Italian). 15 February 2011. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
5. "Rafael e Medina são emprestados". Avaí FC (in Portuguese). 11 February 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
6. "Avaí confirma empréstimo de Rafael para equipe da Coreia do Sul". ClicRBS (in Portuguese). 29 June 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
7. "Confirmado o retorno de Rafael ao Avaí". DIÁRIO CATARINENSE (in Portuguese). 8 July 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
8. "FOTO: após negociação frustrada, Rafael volta ao Avaí e quer sua vaga". GloboEsporte (in Portuguese). 18 July 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
9. Ботев подписа с трима бразилци
10. "Na Série B, zagueiros gêmeos confundem adversários e até a cabeça de treinador". GloboEsporte (in Portuguese). 1 August 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
11. "Atacante Willian, do Figueirense, é escolhido como o craque do Campeonato Catarinense 2010". ClicRBS (in Portuguese). 4 May 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2011.

External links

• Rafael at Soccerway
• Swiss Football League Profile (in German)
• Futpedia (in Portuguese)