André Almeida Pinto (born 5 October 1989) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a central defender.
Club career Born in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto District, Pinto joined FC Porto's youth academy at the age of 9. As a senior, he would be consecutively loaned for the duration of his contract, to C.D. Santa Clara, Vitória de Setúbal, Portimonense S.C. and S.C. Olhanense. He made his Primeira Liga debut with the second club, his first match in the competition being a 0–4 home loss against U.D. Leiria on 13 September 2009 where he featured the full 90 minutes.
Pinto was sold to Super League Greece side Panathinaikos F.C. in summer 2012, making 22 competitive appearances in his only campaign. He returned to his homeland in late December 2013, signing with S.C. Braga for three and a half years and being initially assigned to the reserves.
In late April 2017, after being ousted from the first-team squad by manager Jorge Simão and subsequently terminating his contract, Pinto agreed to a four-year deal at Sporting CP with a release clause of €45 million, with the move being made effective on 1 July. During his spell at the Estádio José Alvalade, he played second-fiddle to Sebastián Coates and Jérémy Mathieu.
On 30 August 2019, Pinto joined Al Fateh SC of the Saudi Pro League on a one-year contract. On 30 December of the following year, the free agent agreed to a short-team deal at S.C. Farense with the option of extending it for another season.
Pinto signed a one-year contract with Romanian club FC Dinamo București in September 2021.
International career Pinto earned 45 caps for Portugal at youth level, including 12 for the under-21s. He made his debut with the full side on 31 March 2015, being sent off in the 60th minute of a 2–0 friendly defeat against Cape Verde in Estoril after a foul on Héldon.
Career statistics Club
ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupEuropeOtherIncludes Supertaça Cândido de OliveiraTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPorto2007–0800000000—00Santa Clara (loan)2008–092734010——323Vitória Setúbal (loan)2009–102211000——231Portimonense (loan)2010–112622000——282Olhanense (loan)2011–122123020——262Panathinaikos2012–1316020—40—220Braga B2013–1430————30Braga2013–1420000000—202014–153316010——4012015–16220403070—3602016–1710200103110153Total6731005010110934Sporting CP2017–1850301020—110Career Total18711250901611023812
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsPortugal201510Total10
Honours Braga Taça de Portugal: 2015–16
Sporting CP Taça de Portugal: 2018–19 Taça da Liga: 2017–18, 2018–19
References
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