Diego Martins (footballer, born 1983)

Diego José Martins (born June 19, 1983 in Porangatu) is a Brazilian footballer. His previous team was Charlotte Eagles in the USL Professional Division and Rochester Lancers.

Diego Martins
Personal information
Full name Diego José Martins
Date of birth (1983-06-19) June 19, 1983 (age 41)
Place of birth Porangatu, Brazil
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Charlotte Eagles
Number 8
Youth career
Gama
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Gama
2005 Capital FC
2006 Anapolina
2007–2008 Aves 1 (0)
2008 Anapolina
2009 Ceilândia
2009– Charlotte Eagles 30 (4)
2011 Rochester Lancers (indoor) 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of February 25th, 2012

Career

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Early career

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Martins grew up playing in the youth system for Gama, where he played as an amateur for the Gama Júniors. Martins led his club to three amateur Brasília state championships, scoring 18 goals, before being called up to the senior Gama team in 2003, at age 17.

Professional

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Martins won two professional Brasília state championships and a Brazilian Serie C National Championship with Gama, and was the team MVP in 2004; his performances with the team led to him signing with Capital FC in 2005. While playing for Capital, Martins scored a famous goal known as the "goal Pelé couldn't score", looping a shot over the opposition goalkeeper from 50 yards out.

Martins transferred to Anapolina of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B in 2006, where he was nominated Player of the Week three times, and was the team's end-of-season MVP. His play with Anápolis caught the eye of Portuguese scouts, leading to him moving to Aves in the Portuguese Liga in 2007. After spending two years rubbing shoulders with teams such as Benfica, Sporting CP and FC Porto, Martins took an opportunity to move to the United States, and signed with the Charlotte Eagles of the USL Second Division in early 2009.[1]

References

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  1. ^ "Eagles Add Second Brazilian Star". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
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