Rui Orlando Ribeiro Santos Neto
Encyclopedia
Rui Orlando Ribeiro Santos Neto (born 24 October 1979 in Santo Tirso, Porto District
), simply Orlando, is a Portuguese
footballer who plays for Académica de Coimbra in the Portuguese first division, as a central defender.
in the third division
in 1998, moving on to Moreirense FC after three seasons. Under the guidance of Manuel Machado
, he was an important defensive member of a side that promoted to the top level – the season prior to the player's arrival, the club was also in the third category.
In 2006, Orlando returned to the second level
, with S.C. Freamunde
. After a good season he was signed by Académica de Coimbra, being an undisputed starter from his debuts. In 2008–09, he netted in both games against F.C. Paços de Ferreira (2–1 win at home, 1–1 away), and continued to be an automatic first-choice in the following top flight seasons.
Orlando spent the better part of the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons on the sidelines, nursing an injury.
Porto District
The District of Porto , sometimes Oporto in English, is located on the north-west coast of Portugal. The district capital is the city of Porto, the second largest city in the country...
), simply Orlando, is a Portuguese
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 Académica de Coimbra in the Portuguese first division, as a central defender.
Football career
Orlando started his career with A.D. FafeA.D. Fafe
Associação Desportiva de Fafe is a Portuguese football club from Fafe, northern Portugal. Founded in 1958, it currently plays in the Portuguese Fourth Division, holding home games at Parque Municipal dos Desportos de Fafe, with a capacity of 8,000....
in the third division
Portuguese Second Division
The Portuguese Second Division is a football league in Portugal, situated at the third level of the Portuguese football league system...
in 1998, moving on to Moreirense FC after three seasons. Under the guidance of Manuel Machado
Manuel Machado (football manager)
Manuel António Marques Machado is a Portuguese football manager.-Coaching career:Machado started his career with his local club Vitória de Guimarães' youth sides, having a head coach spell with lowly S.C. Vila Real in between. After two years with another modest team in the north, A.D...
, he was an important defensive member of a side that promoted to the top level – the season prior to the player's arrival, the club was also in the third category.
In 2006, Orlando returned to the second level
Liga de Honra
The Liga de Honra , known for sponsorship reasons as the Liga Orangina, is the Portuguese second level football league. It was formerly called Segunda Divisão and Segunda Divisão de Honra . When the LPFP took control of the two nationwide levels, it was renamed Segunda Liga, before renaming it...
, with S.C. Freamunde
S.C. Freamunde
Sport Clube Freamunde is a Portuguese football team based in Freamunde, Porto District. Founded in 1933, it currently plays in the Portuguese second division, holding home games at Campo SC Freamunde, with a capacity of 5,000 spectators....
. After a good season he was signed by Académica de Coimbra, being an undisputed starter from his debuts. In 2008–09, he netted in both games against F.C. Paços de Ferreira (2–1 win at home, 1–1 away), and continued to be an automatic first-choice in the following top flight seasons.
Orlando spent the better part of the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons on the sidelines, nursing an injury.