Ricardo Vaz Té
Encyclopedia
Ricardo Jorge Vaz Tê is a Portuguese
footballer who plays for Barnsley
. Vaz Tê previously played for English clubs Bolton Wanderers
and Hull City
, Greek club Panionios and Scottish club Hibernian
.
, but moved with his father to Guinea-Bissau
, where he lived until he was 11 years old. He returned to Portugal and received professional coaching at Sporting Lisbon and SC Farense
. Vaz Tê played youth football with his local club Real Massama
, a team which also included Manchester United
winger Nani. Sometime later, Nani went to play for Sporting CP while Vaz Tê left for England to play for Bolton Wanderers
. They also represented the Portugal Under-21’s
and have remained close friends.
in 2003 and he was immediately signed on a three-year youth academy contract. He made such an impression at youth level that Vaz Tê quickly found himself part of the Bolton first-team squad. He made his debut in their FA Cup
tie with Tranmere Rovers
in January 2004. Just over two months later, he made his Premier League debut in a 2–0 defeat at Middlesbrough
. He made his first full start in the game with Manchester United
at Old Trafford
in December 2004.
In 2005–06
, Vaz Tê was again involved in first-team action, starting 7 games and coming on as a substitute
in another 22. He scored 6 goals in all competitions in the season, one of which a late equaliser shortly after coming on as a substitute on 24 November 2005, at Vitória de Guimarães
. In March 2007, Vaz Tê joined Hull City
on a month's loan from Bolton.
He had an unlucky beginning to 2007–08, damaging his ligament
s on the opening day, in a 3–1 defeat to Newcastle United
, and would appear sparingly throughout the season.
In August 2008, there was confusion regarding the player, when it was widely reported that he had signed for Racing de Santander
on loan as part of a swap deal that would see fellow striker Euzebiusz Smolarek
go the other way. However, although Smolarek did join Bolton, the Portuguese striker also remained at the club.
On the 11th May 2010, it was reported that Vaz Tê had been released by Bolton Wanderers after an injury hit 3 year spell where he managed only limited appearances in the first team squad.
club Hibernian
in February 2011 and manager
Colin Calderwood
stated that both parties were in discussions about a contract. The signing was confirmed on 28 February. Vaz Tê made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against St. Johnstone on 5 March as a substitute. He scored one goal for Hibs, against city rivals
Hearts
. His contract was not renewed at the end of the season.
club Barnsley
in July 2011. He impressed the club management and scored a goal in a friendly against Grimsby Town
. On 3 August 2011 he agreed a contract with Barnsley until the end of the 2011–12 season. He scored his first goal for Barnsley in a 2-0 win over Burnley on 18 October 2011.
tournament scoring a hat-trick
for Portugal U-20s, in their game with South Korea. He quickly became a regular fixture with the U21 side
.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
footballer who plays for Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
. Vaz Tê previously played for English clubs Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
and Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, Greek club Panionios and Scottish club Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
.
Early life
Vaz Tê was born in LisbonLisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, but moved with his father to Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west....
, where he lived until he was 11 years old. He returned to Portugal and received professional coaching at Sporting Lisbon and SC Farense
SC Farense
SC Farense is a Portuguese association football club from Faro founded in 1910. SC Farense is the most successful club in the Algarve. The home colours are white and black....
. Vaz Tê played youth football with his local club Real Massama
Real Sport Clube
Real Sport Clube is a Portuguese football club situated in Queluz that competes in the Portuguese Second Division. They were founded in 1951.-Current squad:...
, a team which also included Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
winger Nani. Sometime later, Nani went to play for Sporting CP while Vaz Tê left for England to play for Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
. They also represented the Portugal Under-21’s
Portugal national under-21 football team
The Portugal national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation . They are nicknamed "Esperanças." Esperança means hope, thus they are Portugal's hopes for the future...
and have remained close friends.
Bolton Wanderers
Vaz Tê went on trial with Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
in 2003 and he was immediately signed on a three-year youth academy contract. He made such an impression at youth level that Vaz Tê quickly found himself part of the Bolton first-team squad. He made his debut in their FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
tie with Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
in January 2004. Just over two months later, he made his Premier League debut in a 2–0 defeat at Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
. He made his first full start in the game with Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
in December 2004.
In 2005–06
FA Premier League 2005-06
The 2005–06 season of the FA Premier League began on 13 August 2005, and concluded on 7 May 2006. The season saw Chelsea F.C retain their title after defeating Manchester United 3–0 at Stamford Bridge towards the end of April...
, Vaz Tê was again involved in first-team action, starting 7 games and coming on as a substitute
Substitute (football)
In association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is not performing well; there may also be tactical reasons such as...
in another 22. He scored 6 goals in all competitions in the season, one of which a late equaliser shortly after coming on as a substitute on 24 November 2005, at Vitória de Guimarães
Vitória SC
The Vitória Sport Clube, also known as Vitória de Guimarães, or by the acronym VSC, is a sports club based in Guimarães, Portugal.It is a club that has big objectives such as the 5th place as a minimum in the Primeira Liga, and the presence in the UEFA Europa League...
. In March 2007, Vaz Tê joined Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
on a month's loan from Bolton.
He had an unlucky beginning to 2007–08, damaging his ligament
Ligament
In anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote any of three types of structures. Most commonly, it refers to fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as articular ligament, articular larua, fibrous ligament, or true ligament.Ligament can also refer to:* Peritoneal...
s on the opening day, in a 3–1 defeat to Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, and would appear sparingly throughout the season.
In August 2008, there was confusion regarding the player, when it was widely reported that he had signed for Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
on loan as part of a swap deal that would see fellow striker Euzebiusz Smolarek
Euzebiusz Smolarek
Euzebiusz "Ebi" Smolarek is a Polish footballer who is currently player of Qatari Al-Khor. He has played 46 times for the Polish national football team. Smolarek plays primarily as a striker or winger.-Club career:...
go the other way. However, although Smolarek did join Bolton, the Portuguese striker also remained at the club.
On the 11th May 2010, it was reported that Vaz Tê had been released by Bolton Wanderers after an injury hit 3 year spell where he managed only limited appearances in the first team squad.
Panionios
On 30 June 2010 it was reported that Vaz Tê had signed a three-year deal with Greek Super League club Panionios. In December 2010, after less than six months in Greece, it was announced that Vaz Tê and Panionios had come to an agreement to mutually terminate his contract.Hibernian
Vaz Tê went on trial with Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
in February 2011 and manager
Manager (association football)
In association football, a manager is responsible for running a football club or a national team. The manager of a professional club is responsible directly to the club president. The position of manager is almost exclusively used in British football...
Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood is a Scottish football player and coach. In November 2011 he was appointed as Chris Hughton's assistant manager at Birmingham City....
stated that both parties were in discussions about a contract. The signing was confirmed on 28 February. Vaz Tê made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against St. Johnstone on 5 March as a substitute. He scored one goal for Hibs, against city rivals
Edinburgh derby
The Edinburgh derby is an informal title given to any football match played between Scottish clubs Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian , the two professional clubs based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The two clubs have a fierce rivalry that dates back to the clubs being founded in the mid-1870s, which...
Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
. His contract was not renewed at the end of the season.
Barnsley
Vaz Tê went on trial with Football League ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
club Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
in July 2011. He impressed the club management and scored a goal in a friendly against Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
. On 3 August 2011 he agreed a contract with Barnsley until the end of the 2011–12 season. He scored his first goal for Barnsley in a 2-0 win over Burnley on 18 October 2011.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Bolton Bolton Wanderers F.C. Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001.... |
2003–04 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2004–05 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2005–06 | 22 | 3 | 4 | 1 | |2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 6 | |
| 2006–07 | 25 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | |
| Hull City (loan) Hull City A.F.C. Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... |
2006–07 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Bolton Bolton Wanderers F.C. Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001.... |
2007-08 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2008–09 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Panionios | |||||||||||||
| 2010-11 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | |
| Hibernian Hibernian F.C. Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts... |
|||||||||||||
| 2010-11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
| Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
|||||||||||||
| 2011-12 Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 2 | |
| Career total | 94 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 115 | 11 | |
International career
In the summer of 2005, Vaz Tê took part in the annual ToulonToulon
Toulon is a town in southern France and a large military harbor on the Mediterranean coast, with a major French naval base. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, Toulon is the capital of the Var department in the former province of Provence....
tournament scoring a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
for Portugal U-20s, in their game with South Korea. He quickly became a regular fixture with the U21 side
Portugal national under-21 football team
The Portugal national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation . They are nicknamed "Esperanças." Esperança means hope, thus they are Portugal's hopes for the future...
.