Cuca_(footballer,_born_1991)
Cuca (footballer, born 1991)
Cape Verdean footballer
Carlos Miguel Pereira Fernandes (born 9 January 1991), better known as just Cuca, is a footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Liga Portugal 2 club União de Leiria. Born in Portugal, he plays for the Cape Verde national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Carlos Miguel Pereira Fernandes | ||
| Date of birth | (1991-01-09) 9 January 1991 (age 33) | ||
| Place of birth | Lisbon, Portugal | ||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | União de Leiria | ||
| Number | 16 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2004–2009 | Oeiras | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2009–2013 | Oeiras | 93 | (2) |
| 2013–2015 | 1º Dezembro | 57 | (1) |
| 2015–2016 | Omonia Aradippou | 0 | (0) |
| 2016–2018 | Felgueiras | 63 | (0) |
| 2018–2021 | Mafra | 69 | (0) |
| 2021–2023 | Casa Pia | 31 | (0) |
| 2023– | União de Leiria | 10 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021– | Cape Verde | 6 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 January 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 26 August 2023 | |||
A youth product of Oeiras, Cuca began his career with the club in 2009, and had stints thereafter with 1º Dezembro, Omonia Aradippou, and Felgueiras.
On 6 July 2018, he transferred to Mafra.[1] Cuca made his professional debut with Mafra in a 4–1 Liga Portugal 2 win over Estoril on 23 September 2018.[2]
On 18 June 2021, Cuca signed for Liga Portugal 2 side Casa Pia.[3] On his first season, the club achieved promotion to the Primeira Liga for the first time in 83 years.[4]
On 11 August 2023, Cuca returned to Liga Portugal 2, signing a one-year contract with recently-promoted side União de Leiria.[5]
Born in Portugal, Cuca is of Cape Verdean descent. He was called up to the Cape Verde national team for a pair of friendlies in June 2021.[6] He debuted with the Cape Verde national team in a friendly 2–0 loss to Senegal on 8 June 2021.[7]
- "Médio cabo-verdiano Cuca é o 10.º reforço do Mafra". SAPO Desporto.
- "Estoril vs. Mafra - 23 September 2018 - Soccerway". ca.soccerway.com.
- "Oficial: Cuca reforça Casa Pia" [Official: Cuca reinforces Casa Pia]. Maisfutebol (in Portuguese). 18 June 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- "Após 83 anos, Casa Pia volta à I Liga. Rio Ave é campeão e também regressa" [Afters 83 years, Casa Pia returns to I Liga. Rio Ave is champion and also returns.] (in European Portuguese). Diário de Notícias. 15 May 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- "Cuca: bem-vindo" [Cuca: welcome]. uniaodeleiria.pt (in European Portuguese). 11 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.