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-Kholood |
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– |
Caps9: | 0 |
Goals9: | 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 2023 (UTC) |
Afonso Miguel Castro Vilhena Taira (born 17 June 1992) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Kholood as a defensive midfielder.
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]
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.[16]