Luís Loureiro

Luis Fernando da Graça Loureiro (born December 4, 1976 in Sintra, Lisbon) is a Portuguese footballer, who plays as a defensive midfielder, currently for Portimonense SC in Portugal.

Club career

Having started his footballing career with hometown Sport União Sintrense, Loureiro went on to represent Portimonense SC, CD Nacional, Gil Vicente F.C., SC Braga, Sporting CP and Estrela da Amadora, also serving uneventful abroad stints with FC Dynamo Moscow in Russia (2005) and Cyprus's Anorthosis Famagusta (August-December 2007).

Arguably, his biggest career moment was a spectacular goal, topping a great game in a 2-1 home win against Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the 2005-06 season. Was never more than a utility player at Sporting though (with 9 league appearances).

On November 1, 2007, Anorthosis coach Temuri Ketsbaia called him lazy and said that he was 'still on vacation', implying that the midfielder had not yet displayed the calibre of football he was brought to the club for. Eventually, in January 2008, Loureiro and Anorthosis parted ways, and the player returned to Portugal, signing until the end of the season with northern Boavista FC.

In July 2008, after Boavista's relegation, Loureiro also dropped down a level, moving to Algarve's Portimonense S.C..

International career

Loureiro had 6 caps for Portugal, all in 2003 and as a Gil Vicente player. His first came in the 0-2 loss to Italy, on February 12, in a friendly match, and he last played in a 4-0 win over Bolivia, on June 10, in another friendly match.

External links

* [http://www.zerozero.eu/uk/jogador.php?id=105&search=1 Stats and profile at zerozero.pt]