José Roberto Gomes Santana

:"Not to be confused with the current Bayern Munich and former Real Madrid player, Zé Roberto."

Football player infobox
playername =Zé Roberto


fullname = José Roberto Gomes Santana
nickname = Zé Roberto
height = height|ft=5|in=7
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1978|9|13
cityofbirth = Pastos Bons
countryofbirth = Brazil
currentclub = Detroit Ignition
clubnumber = 10
position = Midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years =1998
1999
2000–2001
2002–2007
2007
2007–present
clubs = Tuna Luso Brasileira
Seà San Carlese
Hershey Wildcats
Montreal Impact
Vancouver Whitecaps
Detroit Ignition "(indoor)"
Rochester Rhinos
caps(goals) = 00? 0(?)
00? 0(?)
050 0(9)
138 (17)
006 0(0)
000 0(0)
15 (3)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = September 27, 2008

Zé Roberto full name José Roberto Gomes Santana (born September 13 1978 in Pastos Bons) is a Brazilian footballer currently playing for the Rochester Rhinos.

He began his football career with Tuna Luso Brasileira where he played for three seasons. He also had stints with Palmeiras, Corinthians and Seà San Carlese. In 2000, Zé Roberto signed for the Hershey Wildcats of the USL First Division where he recorded 5 goals and 3 assists in 25 games and was named Hershey’s Rookie of the Year. He helped Hershey post the best record (16-7-3) and the best offence (45 goals scored) in the Northern Conference, and reaching the championship game in 2001. After the 2001 season he was picked on a select team of USL players that toured Portugal to face the reserve teams of Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, as well as the U-21 Portuguese national football team.

In 2002, he was signed by the Montreal Impact in his first season he was named Impact's Newcomer of the Year, and won the Voyageurs Cup. Won the USL First Division Championship, Voyageurs Cup, and was named the Unsung Hero Award, and was selected into the USL Second All-League team. He Helped the Impact to a 15-game undefeated streak in 2005, a new league record, and won the regular-season title but on August 7 had his knee sprain he suffered against the Atlanta Silverbacks, and missed the rest of the 2005 season, as well as the entire playoffs. In 2006, he signed a new three year deal with Montreal. In the 2006 season he became the 10th player in club history to reach the 100 career games played mark with the Impact on June 24. Again suffered an injury on August 25 forcing him to miss the rest of the season as well as the playoffs. But was able to defend their regular-season title and Voyageurs Cup.

Roberto was traded from the Montreal Impact to the Vancouver Whitecaps on July 26, 2007 along with Alen Marcina for Joey Gjertsen and David Testo. After the 2007 USL season ended, Zé Roberto was signed by the Detroit Ignition of the Major Indoor Soccer League, soon to be followed by his Whitecaps coach Bob Lilley.

External links

* [http://www.detroitignition.com/players/?id=24 Detroit Ignition Player Profile]
*pt icon [http://200.159.15.35/registro/registro.aspx?s=132572 CBF]
* [http://www.rhinossoccer.com/team/player.php?id=254 Rochester Rhinos Player Profile]