Afonso Taira Explained

Afonso Taira
Fullname:Afonso Miguel Castro Vilhena Taira[1]
Birth Date:17 June 1992
Birth Place:Cascais, Portugal
Height:1.77 m
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Al Batin
Clubnumber:19
Youthyears1:2002–2003
Youthclubs1:Internacional Almancil
Youthyears2:2003–2006
Youthclubs2:Estoril
Youthyears3:2006–2011
Youthclubs3:Sporting CP
Years1:2011–2014
Caps1:2
Goals1:0
Years2:2012–2014
Clubs2:→ Atlético (loan)
Caps2:67
Goals2:2
Years3:2014–2017
Caps3:64
Goals3:1
Years4:2017–2018
Caps4:31
Goals4:0
Years5:2018–2019
Caps5:17
Goals5:1
Years6:2019–2020
Caps6:10
Goals6:0
Years7:2020–2021
Caps7:32
Goals7:0
Years8:2021–2023
Caps8:56
Goals8:0
Years9:2023–2024
Caps9:33
Goals9:1
Years10:2024–
Caps10:0
Goals10:0
Nationalyears1:2007–2008
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2008–2009
Nationalcaps2:11
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2010
Nationalcaps3:3
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2011
Nationalcaps4:8
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:18:12, 27 June 2024 (UTC)

Afonso Miguel Castro Vilhena Taira (born 17 June 1992) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Batin as a defensive midfielder.

Club career

Born in Cascais, Lisbon, Taira joined Sporting CP's youth system in 2006 (aged 14) from neighbouring G.D. Estoril Praia.[2] He made his professional debut in 2011 with Córdoba CF in the Spanish Segunda División, signing a three-year contract[3] but making only three competitive appearances during his only season in Andalusia.[4]

In 2012–13, Taira returned to his country after being loaned to Atlético Clube de Portugal of the Segunda Liga.[5] The move was extended for the following campaign.[2]

Taira returned to his former youth club Estoril on 8 June 2014, after agreeing to a four-year deal.[6] He played 13 Primeira Liga matches in his first year, in an eventual 12th-place finish.

Taira scored his only Portuguese top-flight goal on 24 October 2015, in a 2–2 home draw against Rio Ave FC.[7] On 19 July 2017, he signed with Israeli Premier League team Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona FC,[8] and a year later Beitar Jerusalem F.C. in the same competition.[9]

After spending the 2019–20 season in the Romanian Liga I with FC Hermannstadt,[10] Taira joined top-tier B-SAD on a two-year contract.[11] On 31 August 2021, he moved to Casa Pia A.C. one league below,[12] totalling 28 games in his first season (24 in the league, one assist) to help to a return to the main division after 83 years away.[13] [14]

In June 2023, Taira signed with Saudi First Division League club Al-Kholood Club.[15] On 25 August 2024, he joined Al Batin FC of the same league.[16]

Personal life

Taira's father, José, was also a footballer and a midfielder. He appeared in more than 100 games in the Portuguese top tier, and also spent six years in Spain, representing mainly UD Salamanca.[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Afonso Taira. Mais Futebol. pt. 21 April 2021.
  2. News: "Cheguei ao Sporting, deslumbrei-me um pouco e bloqueei. A auto-pressão foi enorme e o meu pai já não sabia o que fazer para me ajudar". "I arrived at Sporting, thought I had it made a little and I blocked. The self-pressure was enormous and my father did not know what else to do to help me". Expresso. Alexandra. Simões de Abreu. pt. 22 May 2021. 19 July 2023.
  3. News: Taira llega para tres campañas. Taira arrives for three seasons. El Día de Córdoba. José Carlos. León. es. 9 July 2011. 27 August 2012.
  4. News: ¿Ha triunfado algún futbolista portugués en el Córdoba?. Has any Portuguese ever made it big in Córdoba?. La Voz de Córdoba. Blas Jesús. Muñoz. es. 10 July 2017. 19 July 2023.
  5. News: El Córdoba cede a Taira al Atlético Clube de Portugal. Córdoba loan Taira to Atlético Clube de Portugal. Marca. es. 6 August 2012. 27 August 2012.
  6. Web site: Estoril agree terms with midfielder Taira. UEFA. 8 June 2014. 19 July 2023.
  7. Web site: Estoril scores late for 2–2 draw with Rio Ave in Portugal. Fox News. 25 October 2015. 19 July 2023.
  8. Web site: אשטוריל הודיעה: טיירה עובר לעירוני קריית שמונה. Estoril announced: Taira is moving to Kiryat Shmona. One. Shalon. Elbaz. he. 19 July 2017. 20 July 2017.
  9. News: Buzaglo latest addition to new-look Beitar. The Jerusalem Post. 20 August 2018. 10 August 2019.
  10. News: VIDEO Mattia Persano și Afonso Taira, prezentați oficial de Hermannstadt » Sibienii se întăresc serios pentru play-off. VIDEO Mattia Persano and Afonso Taira, officially presented by Hermannstadt » Sibienii seriously play-off contenders. Gazeta Sporturilor. ro. 4 September 2019. 21 April 2021.
  11. News: Afonso Taira assina contrato com o Belenenses SAD. Afonso Taira signs contract with Belenenses SAD. Jornal de Notícias. pt. 5 August 2020. 21 April 2021.
  12. News: Deixa o Belenenses e assina pelo Casa Pia, da Liga SABSEG. He leaves Belenenses and signs for Casa Pia, of SABSEG League. O Jogo. João. Maia. pt. 31 August 2021. 19 July 2023.
  13. News: Após 83 anos, Casa Pia volta à I Liga. Rio Ave é campeão e também regressa. 83 years later, Casa Pia return to I League. Rio Ave are champions and return as well. Diário de Notícias. Carlos. Nogueira. pt. 15 May 2022. 19 July 2023.
  14. News: Afonso Taira assina até 2023 pelo Casa Pia. Afonso Taira signs until 2023 for Casa Pia. Record. pt. 9 June 2022. 19 July 2023.
  15. News: Afonso Taira é reforço do Al Kholood Club. Afonso Taira is Al Kholood Club addition. A Bola. Pedro. Cravo. pt. 23 June 2023. 1 July 2023.
  16. Web site: الإدارة تُنهي إجراءات التعاقد مع المحترف البرتغالي افونسو تايرا. Administration concludes signing procedures with Portuguese professional Afonso Taira. Twitter. ar. 25 August 2024. 26 August 2024.
  17. Web site: Taira: from perseverance at the Restelo to glory in Salamanca. Taira: from perseverance at the Restelo to glory in Salamanca. Mais Futebol. Ricardo. Gouveia. pt. 9 July 2014. 14 August 2017.

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