João Paulo Andrade (born 6 June 1981), known as João Paulo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays mainly as a central defender for FC Castrense.

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João Paulo

Personal information
Full name	João Paulo Andrade[1]
Date of birth	(1981-06-06) 6 June 1981 (age 42)[1]
Place of birth	Leiria, Portugal[2]
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Castrense
Youth career
1992–1994	Portomosense
1994–1999	União Leiria
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1999–2006	União Leiria	131	(16)
2000–2001	→ União Tomar (loan)
2003	→ Sporting CP (loan)	6	(0)
2006–2009	Porto	11	(1)
2008–2009	→ Rapid București (loan)	26	(3)
2009–2010	Le Mans	23	(0)
2010–2012	Vitória Guimarães	45	(1)
2012–2014	Omonia	43	(6)
2014–2015	Apollon Limassol	19	(3)
2015–2016	AEL Limassol	28	(1)
2017–2019	Marinhense	48	(5)
2019–	Castrense	73	(16)
International career
2002–2004	Portugal U21	12	(1)
2004	Portugal U23	1	(0)
2004–2005	Portugal B	3	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Portugal UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2004 Germany
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:49, 28 November 2023 (UTC)

Close

He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 193 matches and 18 goals over nine seasons, almost all while at the service of União de Leiria (five years). He also played professionally in Romania, France and Cyprus.

A product of U.D. Leiria's youth academy, Leiria-born João Paulo was loaned to modest U.F.C.I. Tomar for 2000–01, re-joining Leiria the following season, being coached by a young José Mourinho and quickly becoming an important first-team member, while also being called by the Portugal under-21 side. In January 2003, having already gained the captain's armband, he was loaned to Sporting CP, but appeared sparingly for them.^[3][4]

After having performed solidly during the last two seasons, João Paulo was tipped to be transferred to one of the Primeira Liga greats and, in June 2006, FC Porto agreed his transfer. However, in preseason, he suffered a major knee injury that kept him out of action for several months,^[5] and went on to only serve as third or fourth option at the northerners; on two rare starts, he netted in a 3–0 win at his former club Leiria^[6] and was sent off in the 2008 final of the Taça de Portugal, lost against Sporting.^[7]

In July 2008 João Paulo, alongside teammate Cláudio Pitbull, was loaned to Romania's FC Rapid București, joining compatriot José Peseiro whom signed as manager.^[8] In August of the following year he moved countries again, signing a three-year deal with Le Mans UC 72 in France for about €1,5 million.^[9] He began the campaign as a starter, but eventually lost his importance after the sacking of compatriot Paulo Duarte, going on to suffer Ligue 1 relegation.

João Paulo returned to Portugal for 2010–11, joining Vitória SC.^[10] On 3 April 2011 he scored his first goal for the Guimarães-based team, netting a last-minute equaliser against his former side Sporting in a 1–1 home draw.^[11]

On 2 March 2017, after four seasons in the Cypriot First Division in representation of three clubs, the 35-year-old João Paulo returned to his homeland and joined amateurs A.C. Marinhense, where he played mainly as a forward.^[12]

Of Cape Verdean descent,^[13] João Paulo represented Portugal at the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championship and the Summer Olympic Games in the same year.^[14] He also played for the nation's B team.^[15]

As of 24 September 2015

Porto

• Primeira Liga: 2006–07, 2007–08^[17]
• Taça de Portugal runner-up: 2007–08^[7]

Omonia

• Cypriot Super Cup: 2012^[17]