Ricardo André de Pinho Sousa (born January 11, 1979 in
São João da Madeira) is a
Portuguese footballer who currently plays with
NK Drava Ptuj, in the role of
attacking midfielder.
Club career
Growing up as a footballer in
F.C. Porto, Sousa would however never play for its first squad, and went on to represent
S.C. Beira-Mar (where he made his
first division debuts, in the second part of
1998–99),
C.D. Santa Clara and
C.F. Os Belenenses in consecutive loans.
In July 2002, Sousa was finally released by Porto, returning to
Aveiro and Beira-Mar, and representing
Boavista F.C. in
the following season. During his year with the
axadrezados (chequereds), he netted 14 goals for a side that only achieved 32, one of the worst records in 2003–04's top level.
However, he would leave Boavista, playing two years with
German side
Hannover 96 (2004–06; this included a six-month loan, starting in January 2005, to
De Graafschap in
Holland). Sousa would nonetheless play again for Boavista in
2006–07.
In July 2007, Sousa had a
Cypriot adventure with
AC Omonia. In January 2008, he joined
German second division's
Kickers Offenbach, starting in 16 appearances (one goal).
Sousa split
2008–09 in the
second division, starting with Beira-Mar and moving to
União de Leiria in January 2009. After contributing with only four matches (97 minutes) to the latter's return to the first division, he moved abroad again, now with
Slovenia's
NK Drava Ptuj.
International career
Sousa represented
Portugal at the
1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, scoring once against South Korea and playing in all four games.
Personal
Sousa is the son of another footballer - and midfielder -
António Sousa, who played club football in the 80's for Porto and
Sporting Clube de Portugal, also being a mainstay with the national team during that decade.
External links