Helton Leite Explained

Helton Leite
Full Name:Helton Brant Aleixo Leite
Birth Date:2 November 1990
Birth Place:Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Height:1.96 m[1]
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Deportivo La Coruña
Youthclubs1:Atlético Mineiro
Youthclubs2:América Mineiro
Youthyears3:2007
Youthclubs3:Goiás
Youthyears4:2008–2010
Youthclubs4:Grêmio
Years1:2011
Clubs1:J. Malucelli
Caps1:1
Goals1:0
Years2:2011
Clubs2:Boa Esporte
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2012
Clubs3:Ipatinga
Caps3:23
Goals3:0
Years4:2013
Clubs4:Criciúma
Caps4:11
Goals4:0
Years5:2014–2018
Clubs5:Botafogo
Caps5:25
Goals5:0
Years6:2018
Clubs6:São Caetano (loan)
Caps6:10
Goals6:0
Years7:2018–2020
Clubs7:Boavista
Caps7:41
Goals7:0
Years8:2020–2023
Clubs8:Benfica
Caps8:17
Goals8:0
Years9:2023–2024
Clubs9:Antalyaspor
Caps9:51
Goals9:0
Years10:2024–
Clubs10:Deportivo La Coruña
Caps10:0
Goals10:0
Club-Update:26 June 2024

Helton Brant Aleixo Leite (born 2 November 1990), known as Helton Leite, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for side Deportivo de La Coruña.

Career

Early career

Born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Leite finished his graduation with Grêmio, but was released in 2010. In 2011, he joined J. Malucelli, making his senior debut on 1 May in a 2–1 home loss against Operário Ferroviário.

Leite subsequently moved to Série B side Boa Esporte, but failed to make any senior appearances for the club. On 19 January 2012, he signed for Ipatinga.[2]

Leite made his professional debut on 7 August 2012, starting in a 2–0 away win against Bragantino. He appeared in 23 league matches during the campaign, which ended in relegation.

On 8 January 2013, Leite joined Criciúma in Série A.[3] He made his debut in the category on 31 July, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 draw at Portuguesa. He would contribute with 11 appearances during the year, again experiencing team relegation.

Botafogo

On 7 January 2014, Leite was presented at Botafogo.[4] Initially a third-choice behind Jefferson and Renan, he became the second-choice of Sidão when Renan left in 2016 and Jefferson was injured.

Leite was again a backup option in the 2017 campaign, this time behind another new signing, Gatito Fernández. On 14 December of that year, he moved to São Caetano on loan for the ensuing season.[5]

Boavista

On 12 June 2018, Leite moved abroad for the first time in his career after joining Portuguese Primeira Liga side Boavista.[6] At the club, he was named the Best Goalkeeper during the months of January and February 2020.[7]

Benfica

On 8 August 2020, Leite agreed to a five-year contract with Benfica.[8]

Deportivo La Coruña

On 12 August 2024, after an 18-month spell at Turkish Süper Lig side Antalyaspor, Leite signed a two-year deal with Deportivo de La Coruña in the Spanish Segunda División.[9]

Personal life

Helton Leite is the son of former goalkeeper João Leite.[10] He also holds Portuguese citizenship.[11]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueState LeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
J. Malucelli2011Paranaense1010
Boa Esporte2011Série B0000
Ipatinga2012Série B2300000230
Criciúma2013Série A110000000110
Botafogo2014Série A3050000080
2015Série B70000070
2016Série A600050110
2017Série A1030002060
Total170805020320
São Caetano2018Paulista10010110
Boavista2018–19Primeira Liga2103010250
2019–20Primeira Liga2001000210
Total4104010460
Benfica2020–21Primeira Liga15050204000260
2021–22Primeira Liga2030200070
2022–23Primeira Liga0010000010
Total17090404000340
Antalyaspor2022–23Süper Lig170170
2023–24Süper Lig34010350
Total51010520
Career total16001902005060002100

Honours

Criciúma

Botafogo

2015

2015

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Helton Leite . S.L. Benfica . 12 August 2022.
  2. Web site: Ipatinga acerta a contratação do goleiro Helton Leite, do Boa Esporte . Ipatinga signs goalkeeper Helton Leite, from Boa Esporte . . pt . 19 January 2012 . 28 February 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160308021342/http://placar.abril.com.br/materia/ipatinga-acerta-a-contratacao-do-goleiro-helton-leite-do-boa-esporte/ . 8 March 2016 .
  3. Web site: Goleiros reforçam o Criciúma. Goalkeepers bolster Criciúma. Criciúma's official website. pt. 8 January 2013. 28 February 2016.
  4. Web site: Goleiro Helton Leite, ex-jogador do Criciúma, é apresentado no Botafogo. Goalkeeper Helton Leite, former Criciúma player, is presented at Botafogo. Terra. pt. 7 January 2014. 28 February 2016.
  5. Web site: Botafogo e São Caetano acertam ida de Helton Leite ao time paulista. Botafogo and São Caetano agree move of Helton Leite to the paulista club. Lance!. pt-BR. 14 December 2017. 10 September 2020.
  6. Web site: Helton Leite deixa o Botafogo e acerta com o Boavista, de Portugal. Helton Leite leaves Botafogo and signs for Portugal's Boavista. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 12 June 2018. 10 September 2020.
  7. Web site: Melhor goleiro do Português, Helton Leite defende Boavista, encara Porto e vislumbra Benfica. Best goalkeeper of the Portuguese league, Helton Leite plays for Boavista, faces Porto and aims for Benfica. Globo Esporte. pt-BR. 23 June 2020. 10 September 2020.
  8. Web site: Bem-vindo, Helton Leite!. Welcome, Helton Leite!. SL Benfica. pt. 8 August 2020. 10 September 2020.
  9. Web site: Helton Leite completa la portería del Dépor. Helton Leite completes the goal of Dépor. Deportivo La Coruña. es. 12 August 2024. 12 August 2024.
  10. Web site: Nos passos de pai ídolo, Helton Leite pode ser o raio no mesmo lugar. In the footsteps of the idol Catherine, Helton Leite may be the lightning in the same place. Globo Esporte. pt. 3 August 2013. 28 February 2016.
  11. Web site: Helton Leite: "Tenho o sonho de jogar numa liga das “Big 5” . 2024-05-22 . 98 Live . pt-BR.
  12. News: Helton Leite, Tapsoba, Bruno Fernandes, Ricardo Horta, Corona e Ruíz também foram distinguidos. 2020-03-24.
  13. News: Sérgio Conceição, Helton Leite, Sérgio Oliveira, Sandro Lima, Pedro Nuno e Rodrigo Dantas foram os outros premiados. 2020-03-24.