Rafael Garcia Tonioli Defendi (born 22 December 1983) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Campeonato de Portugal club Vila Meã.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rafael Garcia Tonioli Defendi | ||
| Date of birth | 22 December 1983 | ||
| Place of birth | Ribeirão Preto, Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Vila Meã | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001 | Botafogo | ||
| 2003 | Santos | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2006 | Flamengo | ||
| 2007 | Flamengo | ||
| 2007 | Grêmio Anápolis | ||
| 2007−2008 | Aves | 6 | (0) |
| 2008 | Grêmio Anápolis | ||
| 2009 | Sertãozinho | ||
| 2009−2010 | Mirassol | 2 | (0) |
| 2010−2011 | Bragantino | 2 | (0) |
| 2011−2012 | Audax | 5 | (0) |
| 2012 | Monte Azul | ||
| 2013−2014 | Bragantino | 13 | (0) |
| 2014–2018 | Paços de Ferreira | 78 | (0) |
| 2018–2020 | Famalicão | 40 | (0) |
| 2020–2023 | Farense | 53 | (0) |
| 2023– | Vila Meã | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:24, 7 November 2023 (UTC) | |||
Career
editBorn in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Defendi passed through Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas and Santos F.C. youth systems, in his early career. In 2007, he made his first move abroad and joined C.D. Aves, making his professional debut on 18 August 2007 in a 2–1 home loss against S.C. Olhanense.[1] He only added six league appearances throughout the season before returning to Brazil.
After several years in his home country, mostly at the regional level, in July 2014, Defendi returned to Portugal, joining Paços de Ferreira,[2][3] being first choice most of the season, battling with António Filipe for the position.
On 9 July 2018, Defendi signed a two-year deal with LigaPro side F.C. Famalicão.[4] He played all but one game in his first season as they finished runners-up and were promoted to the top flight after a 25-year absence; on 3 March 2019 he and Capela were sent off in a 1–1 home draw with FC Porto B.[5]
Personal life
editHe is the older brother of Rodrigo Defendi, also a professional footballer.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Desp. Aves 1-2 Olhanense". Footballzz. 18 August 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ^ "Rafael Defendi acerta com time português e Bragantino contrata substituto" [Rafael Defendi signs with Portuguese team, Bragatino hires replacement]. esporte.ig.com.br (in Portuguese). 18 July 2014.
- ^ "Rafael Defendi será titular" [Rafael Defendi will be the starter goalkeeper]. Record (in Portuguese). 15 August 2014.
- ^ "Rafael Defendi assina pelo Famalicão até 2020" [Rafael Defendi signs for Famalicão until 2020]. Record (in Portuguese). 9 July 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Famalicão atrasa-se ao empatar com FC Porto B num jogo em que acabou com nove" [Famalicão hold on to a draw with FC Porto in a match that ended with nine]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 3 March 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Rafael Defendi, goleiro até no sobrenome" [Rafael Defendi, a Goalkeeper even in its name]. Verminosos por Futebol (in Portuguese). 2 August 2014.
External links
edit- Rafael Defendi at Soccerway
- Rafael Defendi at ForaDeJogo (archived)
