Rafael Ramos (footballer)

Rafael António Figueiredo Ramos (born 9 January 1995) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a full back for Santa Clara in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.[1]

This name uses Portuguese naming customs: the first or maternal family name is Figueiredo and the second or paternal family name is Ramos.
Rafael Ramos
Ramos playing for Orlando City in 2014
Personal information
Full name Rafael António Figueiredo Ramos
Date of birth (1995-01-09) 9 January 1995
Place of birth Santa Marinha, Seia Portugal
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Full back
Club information
Current team
 Santa Clara
Number 2
Youth career
2006–2012 Sporting CP
2012–2013 Real Massamá
2013–2014 Benfica
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014 Orlando City (USL) 3 (1)
2015–2017 Orlando City 39 (0)
2016–2017 → Orlando City B (loan) 9 (0)
2018 Chicago Fire 3 (0)
2018–2019 FC Twente 19 (0)
2019– Santa Clara 12 (0)
National team‡
2014 Portugal U19 1 (0)
2014–2015 Portugal U20 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 27 June 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 27 March 2015

Club career

Born in Santa Marinha, Seia, Guarda District, Ramos started out his career with Sporting CP before being released in 2012. Then, Ramos joined Real Sport Clube for one year before moving to S.L. Benfica's youth system in 2013, where he joined the under-19 squad. Ramos was part of the squad that competed in the 2013–14 UEFA Youth League. On 5 May 2014, Ramos signed a contract to stay with Benfica until 2020.[2]

However, on 8 July 2014, it was announced that Ramos and teammate Estrela were transferred to Orlando City of the USL Pro, the third level of the United States soccer league system, on 3.5 year professional contracts as part of an affiliation between the two clubs.[3] The players' contracts would see the two new signings finish out the 2014 USL Pro season with the club before transitioning into Major League Soccer in 2015.[4][5]

Ramos, along with Estrela, made his professional debut with Orlando City on 23 August 2014 in a late season league match against Richmond Kickers. Ramos also scored in first goal with City in the match, scoring the match-winner in the 70th minute giving City a 3–2 victory over Richmond. After the match, head coach Adrian Heath stated in regards to the two new players, "I thought that the two new players (Estrela and Ramos) were outstanding, considering that they haven't played for two or three weeks. Their contribution was massive..."[6]

On 18 January 2018, Ramos was traded to Chicago Fire in exchange for the rights to Cameron Lindley and $100,000 of Targeted Allocation Money.[7]

On 6 August 2018, Chicago and Ramos mutually agreed to part ways.[8] Later that day, Dutch team FC Twente announced they had signed Ramos.[9] He helped the team win the 2018–19 Eerste Divisie title and promotion back to the Eredivisie.[10]

On 2 July 2019, Ramos returned to his native Portugal to sign with Santa Clara of the Primeira Liga.[11]

Personal

Ramos holds a U.S. green card which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[12]

Honours
Benfica
FC Twente

References
  1. Rafael Ramos at WorldFootball.net
  2. "Benfica: dois jovens nos Estados Unidos para jogar com Kaká". www.maisfutebol.iol.pt. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  3. "Valdomiro Lameira and Rafael Ramos head to Orlando City". S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  4. "SL Benfica partnership delivering benefits as Orlando City signs two players to MLS deals". Orlando City SC. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  5. Benfica, Sport Lisboa e. "Site Oficial do Sport Lisboa e Benfica". www.slbenfica.pt.
  6. "MOLINO BREAKS USL PRO GOAL SCORING RECORD IN THRILLING 3–2 VICTORY". Orlando City SC. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  7. https://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2018/01/18/chicago-fire-acquire-defender-rafael-ramos-and-targeted-allocation-money-orlando
  8. https://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2018/08/06/chicago-fire-soccer-club-and-defender-rafael-ramos-mutually-terminate-contract
  9. "Rafael Ramos naar FC Twente". fctwente.nl (in Dutch). 6 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  10. "FC Twente heeft de titel binnen na remise". TC Tubantia. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  11. "Santa Clara contrata defesa Rafael Ramos ao Twente". www.record.pt (in Portuguese).
  12. "Orlando City Soccer Club". www.facebook.com.
  13. "'Proud' Benfica hold heads high after final defeat". UEFA. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
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