Quick Facts
Biography
Yazalde Gomes Pinto (born 21 September 1988), known simply as Yazalde, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Rio Ave F.C. as a forward.
Club career
Born in Vila do Conde, Yazalde began playing professionally with second division's Varzim SC, making two appearances late in the 2006–07 season. He went on to establish himself as an important first-team member.
On 15 December 2008, Yazalde moved to Primeira Liga club S.C. Braga, signing a five 1/2-year contract effective as of January of the following year. However, he would be immediately loaned until the end of the campaign to league strugglers Rio Ave FC; on 22 February, he scored the game's only goal at home against Vitória de Setúbal.
In mid-January 2010, after having appeared rarely for Braga during the season, Yazalde was loaned to fellow league sides S.C. Olhanense, for five months. In June he returned to Rio Ave, in the same predicament.
Yazalde would be consecutively loaned by Braga in the following years, to S.C. Beira-Mar, FC Astra Giurgiu and Gabala FK. On 27 June 2015 he returned to Rio Ave for a third spell, agreeing to a three-year deal.
International career
Yazalde represented Portugal at under-21 level. As his father was born in Guinea-Bissau, Luís Norton de Matos (coach of the Bissauan national team) tried to persuade him to play for the Africans as a senior, but the player aspired to appear for his country of birth.
Honours
- Astra Giurgiu
- Cupa României: 2013–14