Paulo Jorge Soares Gomes (born 16 June 1980), known as Paulo Jorge, is a Portuguese retired professional footballer who played as a central defender, currently assistant manager of Braga B.
He played until the age of 29 with Braga, appearing in 166 official matches over seven Primeira Liga seasons. He finished his 16-year senior career in Cyprus.
Club career Born in Braga, Paulo Jorge played for hometown club S.C. Braga for the vast majority of his career, which he began as a professional in the 2002–03 season. From his early Primeira Liga debut, he was awarded team captaincy.
Although a defensive player, Paulo Jorge scored five league goals in 2006–07 to help the team finish fourth, as well as two in the UEFA Cup against A.C. ChievoVerona and Tottenham Hotspur. In 2008–09, he was absent for the vast majority of the matches due to several surgeries to repair a foot ailment; his return only took place on 1 May 2009 against Rio Ave FC (0–0), and it was the sole appearance he made during the campaign.
On 10 June 2009, the board of APOEL FC announced the signing of Paulo Jorge on a two-year deal. In his first year, he won the Cypriot Super Cup and took part in three group stage games in their first participation in the UEFA Champions League.
On 12 May 2011, after helping APOEL win the national championship, the 31-year-old Paulo Jorge renewed his contract for another year. The following campaign, he featured in nine Champions League matches in the side's surprising run to the quarter-finals.
On 13 May 2012, Paulo Jorge signed a two-year contract with another team in the country, Anorthosis Famagusta FC. He retired at the age of 35, after one season with Doxa Katokopias FC.
Paulo Jorge returned to APOEL on 22 March 2018, as assistant manager under compatriot Bruno Baltazar.
Career statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBraga 2002–03Primeira Liga24120———2612003–04Primeira Liga26110———2712004–05Primeira Liga13111—20—1622005–06Primeira Liga20120—20—2412006–07Primeira Liga24530—92—3672007–08Primeira Liga270101070—3602008–09Primeira Liga10000000—10Total135910110202—16612APOEL 2009–10Cypriot First Division13100—60102012010–11Cypriot First Division15200—51—2032011–12Cypriot First Division18110—140—331Total46410—25110735Anorthosis 2012–13Cypriot First Division19030—40—2602013–14Cypriot First Division26220—20—302Total45250—60—562Doxa 2014–15Cypriot First Division14100———141Career total24016161105131030920
Honours APOEL Cypriot First Division: 2010–11 Cypriot Super Cup: 2009, 2011
References
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