Rafael Teixeira de Souza (born 13 July 1992) in Água Boa, commonly known as Rafael Gladiador, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a striker for Palmas.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rafael Teixeira de Souza | ||
| Date of birth | 13 July 1992 | ||
| Place of birth | Água Boa, Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Juventude | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2011 | Bahia | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011–2014 | Bahia | 13 | (1) |
| 2013 | → D.C. United (loan) | 7 | (1) |
| 2013 | → Atlético Goianiense (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2014–2015 | Atlético Zacatepec | 4 | (0) |
| 2015 | Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard | 12 | (6) |
| 2017 | Tupi | 10 | (2) |
| 2019 | Cabofriense | 6 | (1) |
| 2019 | Paços de Ferreira | ||
| 2020 | Patrocinense | 9 | (1) |
| 2020 | Juventude | ||
| 2021– | Palmas | 8 | (5) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2011 | Brazil U20 | 3 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 December 2021 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 September 2019 | |||
Club career
In 2011, Rafael Gladiador signed for Bahia's first team from its reserve squad. In 36 appearances for Bahia he scored 10 goals.
On 9 January 2013, it was announced that he would join D.C. United as a young designated player on a one-year loan[1] with a pre-negotiated option to make the move permanent.[2] He scored his first goal for the team in his debut game on 23 March, a 2–1 home defeat to the Columbus Crew.[3] After making four more appearances with United, Rafael suffered a concussion during training.
Rafael Gladiador and DC agreed to part ways in June 2013.[4]
In July 2015, Rafael Gladiador transferred to China League One side Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard.[5]
On 5 July 2019, Rafael Gladiador signed with Paços de Ferreira after a stint in Brazil with Cabofriense.[6] However, he didn't play any games for the club, before he returned to Brazil, signing with Patrocinense in December 2019. In August 2020, he moved to Sociedade Esportiva Juventude.[7]
Rafael joined Palmas ahead of the 2021 Campeonato Tocantinense.[8]
International career
Rafael has represented Brazil at the under-20 level 3 times.
References
External links
- Rafael at Major League Soccer
- Rafael Gladiador at Soccerway
- Rafael Gladiador at FootballDatabase.eu