António Semedo Biography

Portuguese professional footballer

António Paulo Sanches Semedo (born 1 June 1979) is a Portuguese retired footballer. Operating as a winger or a second striker, he was nicknamed "the Black Panther".

After starting out at Casa Pia, Semedo am*ed Primeira Liga totals of 97 games and 11 goals over the course of three seasons with Estrela Amadora, where he played six years overall. He also competed professionally for CFR Cluj, Steaua București and Unirea Urziceni in Romania, Alki Larnaca in Cyprus, and Khazar Lankaran in Azerbaijan.

Internationally, Semedo earned 16 caps for Portugal at under-21 level between 2000 and 2002.

Club career

After beginning his professional career in his local Lisbon area with modest Casa Pia AC, Semedo moved to C.F. Estrela da Amadora in 2000. He went on to establish himself as an important attacking element, whether as a starter or from the bench—in his last season he scored six goals in 32 games, helping the capital side finish ninth in the Primeira Liga after having promoted from the second division the previous campaign.

In 2006–07, Semedo joined Romania's CFR Cluj, as the Liga I team was filled with Portuguese players. After good displays during two seasons, and a double in his last, he moved to FC Steaua București. On 13 September 2008, Semedo scored from a corner kick on his debut, as Steaua won 4–1 against FC Farul Constanța. The following week, he netted a brace in the 4–0 victory over CS Gaz Metan Mediaș.

For 2009–10, Semedo was initially demoted to the B-squad. Several weeks later his contract was terminated, but he stayed in the country and signed with FC Unirea Urziceni. In the summer of 2011, Semedo penned a one-year contract with FK Khazar Lankaran from the Azerbaijan Premier League. He retired at the end of the season, aged 33.

International career

Semedo played at the 2002 UEFA European Championship for the Portuguese under-21s, who finished third in their group.

Personal life

After retiring as a footballer, Semedo relocated to England with his wife and children.

Honours

CFR Cluj
  • Liga I: 2007–08
  • Cupa României: 2007–08

References

    External links

    • António Semedo at ForaDeJogo (archived)
    • António Semedo at RomanianSoccer.ro (in Romanian)
    • António Semedo national team profile at the Portuguese Football Federation (in Portuguese)

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