Fernando Lopes dos Santos Varela (born 26 November 1987) is a former professional footballer who played mainly as a centre-back. Born in Portugal, he represented Cape Verde internationally.

Club career Portugal

Born in Cascais, Varela started playing professionally with G.D. Estoril Praia in the Segunda Liga, being loaned to lowly U.D. Rio Maior for one year during his spell. In January 2009, he moved to C.D. Trofense as the northern club was playing for the first time in the Primeira Liga; he managed to appear regularly during the season, but they were relegated.

In the summer of 2011, after two additional second-tier seasons with Trofense, Varela signed for C.D. Feirense, returned to the top flight after a 22-year absence. In the following campaign, he took part in all league games as a starter, notably scoring twice against S.L. Benfica on 28 January 2012 (one in his own net) in a 2–1 loss where he also committed a penalty, and his team would again drop down a division.

Romania Varela signed a three-year contract with Romanian side FC Vaslui on 29 May 2012. On 3 September of the following year, he joined FC Steaua București also from Liga I, agreeing to a three-year deal for a €1.25 million transfer fee.

At the end of 2014–15, Málaga CF showed interest in acquiring Varela, but Steaua rejected the Spaniards' €6 million offer. He appeared in 47 matches in all competitions as the double was won.

PAOK

On 23 July 2016, Varela, who had less than six months left on his contract, moved to the Super League Greece with PAOK FC for three years and a €1.4 million fee. He scored his first goal of the 2017–18 season on 12 February 2018, heading home in a 3–0 win against Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C. at the Toumba Stadium.

On 21 May 2019, Varela declined the club's offer to renew his link. One week later, however, he agreed to extend it until June 2022.

Casa Pia The 34-year-old Varela went back to Portugal on 8 July 2022 after a decade away, on a deal at top-division Casa Pia AC. He went to score twice from 60 appearances, his first goal coming on 20 November that year in a 1–1 draw away to F.C. Paços de Ferreira in the group stage of the Taça da Liga and the second the following 6 March to help the hosts defeat the same adversary 2–1 in the domestic league.

Alverca On 3 July 2024, the free agent Varela signed with F.C. Alverca. On 16 May 2025, he scored in the 2–1 home victory over Portimonense S.C. from a corner kick as the club returned to the top tier 21 years later.

Varela announced his retirement in July 2025.

International career

Portuguese-born, Varela opted to represent Cape Verde internationally, his debut coming in 2008. On 24 May 2010, he appeared in a friendly in Covilhã with Portugal – who were preparing for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa – playing the entire match as the minnows (ranked 117th) managed a 0–0 draw.

The Blue Sharks were disqualified from the 2014 World Cup when it was revealed that Varela had played in a qualifying match against Tunisia, despite not completing a four-match suspension for a red card he had received against Equatorial Guinea on 24 March 2013. That game was later rendered invalid by FIFA as a result of Equatorial Guinea fielding ineligible Emilio Nsue, but Varela's disciplinary record stood.

Personal life Varela's son, Gustavo, is also a professional footballer.

Career statistics Club

Club performance League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total Club Season League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps GoalsRio Maior (loan)2006–07Segunda Divisão21320–––233Estoril2005–06Segunda Liga0010–––102007–081701010––1902008–091112041––172Total 2814051––372Trofense2008–09Primeira Liga11100–––1112009–101200010––1302010–112711000––281Total 5021010––522Feirense2011–12Primeira Liga3021021––333Vaslui2012–13Liga I32100–41–3622013–145000–––50Total 37100–41–412Steaua București2013–14Liga I23461–20–3152014–153033020110104732015–1629340105110404Total 8210131301812011812PAOK2016–17Super League Greece24170–80–3912017–1826160–40–3612018–1927240–121–4332019–2028151–40–3722020–2123130–101–3622021–2216000–60–220Total1446251–442–2139Casa Pia2022–23Primeira Liga2711031--3122023–242402030--290Career total443264921736642057735

International goals # Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 4 September 2010 Várzea, Praia, Cape Verde 1–0 Win 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 2. 29 February 2012 Mahamasina Municipal Stadium, Antananarivo, Madagascar 4–0 Win 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 3. 27 January 2013 Nelson Mandela, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 2–1 Win 2013 Africa Cup of Nations

Honours Steaua București Liga I: 2013–14, 2014–15 Cupa României: 2014–15 Cupa Ligii: 2014–15, 2015–16

PAOK Super League Greece: 2018–19 Greek Football Cup: 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21

Individual Foreign Player of the Year in Romania (Gazeta Sporturilor): 2015 Super League Greece Team of the Season: 2017–18, 2018–19

References

External links