Rafael Gladiador Explained

Rafael Gladiador
Fullname:Rafael Teixeira de Souza
Birth Date:13 July 1992
Birth Place:Água Boa, Brazil
Height:1.83 m
Position:Striker
Youthyears1:–2011
Youthclubs1:Bahia
Years1:2011–2014
Clubs1:Bahia
Caps1:13
Goals1:1
Years2:2013
Clubs2:D.C. United (loan)
Caps2:7
Goals2:1
Years3:2013
Clubs3:Atlético Goianiense (loan)
Caps3:4
Goals3:0
Years4:2014–2015
Clubs4:Atlético Zacatepec
Caps4:4
Goals4:0
Years5:2015
Clubs5:Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard
Caps5:12
Goals5:6
Years6:2017
Clubs6:Tupi
Caps6:10
Goals6:2
Years7:2019
Caps7:6
Goals7:1
Years8:2019
Clubs8:Paços de Ferreira
Years9:2020
Clubs9:Patrocinense
Caps9:9
Goals9:1
Years10:2020
Clubs10:Juventude
Years11:2021
Clubs11:Palmas
Caps11:8
Goals11:5
Nationalyears1:2011
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:8 December 2021
Nationalteam-Update:14 September 2019

Rafael Teixeira de Souza (born 13 July 1992) in Água Boa, commonly known as Rafael Gladiador, is a former Brazilian footballer who played as a striker.

Club career

In 2011, Rafael Gladiador signed for Bahia's first team from its reserve squad. In 36 appearances for Bahia he scored 10 goals.

On 9 January 2013, it was announced that he would join D.C. United as a young designated player on a one-year loan[1] with a pre-negotiated option to make the move permanent.[2] He scored his first goal for the team in his debut game on 23 March, a 2–1 home defeat to the Columbus Crew.[3] After making four more appearances with United, Rafael suffered a concussion during training.

Rafael Gladiador and DC agreed to part ways in June 2013.[4]

In July 2015, Rafael Gladiador transferred to China League One side Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard.[5]

On 5 July 2019, Rafael Gladiador signed with Paços de Ferreira after a stint in Brazil with Cabofriense.[6] However, he didn't play any games for the club, before he returned to Brazil, signing with Patrocinense in December 2019. In August 2020, he moved to Sociedade Esportiva Juventude.[7]

Rafael joined Palmas ahead of the 2021 Campeonato Tocantinense.[8]

International career

Rafael has represented Brazil at the under-20 level 3 times.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: DC United ink Brazilian striker Rafael on loan as young DP. MLS. 9 January 2013.
  2. Web site: Cammarota. Nick. DC not after another No. 9 after signing young DP Rafael. MLS. 9 January 2013.
  3. Web site: MLS Match Recap: DC United 1, Columbus Crew 2 . MLS . 23 March 2013 . 30 August 2014.
  4. Web site: D.C. United, Rafael mutually agree to part ways . D.C. United . 26 June 2013 . 30 August 2014.
  5. http://www.xjdsb.com/sports/1243413.shtml 新疆队巴西外援将到位
  6. Web site: 5 July 2019 . Ex-Cabofriense, Rafael Gladiador acerta com o Paços de Ferreira, de Portugal . Globo Esporte. PT.
  7. News: Sampaio . Matheus . 14 August 2020 . Juventude anuncia a contratação do atacante Rafael Gladiador, ex-Patrocinense . pt-br . Globo Esporte . 2021-03-25.
  8. News: 5 March 2021 . Gladiador vibra com momento no Palmas e ressalta qualidade do grupo . pt-br . Globo Esporte . 2021-03-25.