João Artur Rosa Alves (born 18 August 1980) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.
Club career Born in Chaves, Alves started his senior career at his hometown club G.D. Chaves, making his debut in the Primeira Liga on 15 November 1998 in a 1–2 home loss against U.D. Leiria after coming in as a substitute in the 63rd minute. He appeared in a further nine league matches during that season, with the northerners eventually being relegated after finishing 17th.
In 2004–05, having spent five additional campaigns with Chaves in the Segunda Liga, Alves joined S.C. Braga, his first league appearance occurring on 14 November 2004 in a 0–0 draw at Leiria. After some solid performances to help the Minho to the fourth position, he moved to Sporting CP on a three-year contract.
After appearing just twice for Sporting in 2006–07, Alves signed a three-year deal with Vitória S.C. in July 2007, with Sporting keeping half of the player's rights. In his first year, he only missed one league game as his team came straight from the second division into a final third place.
Alves made an average of 23 league appearances in the following three seasons, and on 20 June 2011 he replaced veteran Flávio Meireles as club captain.
International career On 17 August 2005, Alves made his debut for the Portugal national team, making an assist for Hélder Postiga in a 2–0 friendly win over Egypt.
Career statistics Club ClubSeasonLeagueCupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsChaves 1998–99Primeira Liga10000—1001999–2000Segunda Liga21010—2202000–01Segunda Liga27600—2762001–02Segunda Liga31510—3252002–03Segunda Liga33331—3642003–04Segunda Liga30210—312Total1521761—15818Braga2004–05Primeira Liga20420—2242005–06Primeira Liga2000—20Total22420—244Sporting CP2005–06Primeira Liga23130202812006–07Primeira Liga20001030Total2513030311Vitória Guimarães2007–08Primeira Liga29051—3412008–09Primeira Liga25180413722009–10Primeira Liga22060—2802010–11Primeira Liga22280—3022011–12Primeira Liga2003030260Total1183301711555Omonia2012–13Cypriot First Division1414210193Académico Viseu2013–14Segunda Liga29410—304Freamunde2014–15Segunda Liga1020—30Career total3613048411142035
Honours Sporting CP Taça de Portugal: 2006–07
Omonia Cypriot Super Cup: 2012
Portugal UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 1999
References
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