Quick Facts
Biography
Alexandre Henrique Gonçalves de Freitas (born 27 August 1991), commonly known as Alex, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Vitória F.C. mainly as a left winger.
Club career
Porto
Born in Funchal, Madeira, Alex started his career with local C.D. Nacional. In 2005, the 14-year-old signed for FC Porto and went on to complete his formation with the Primeira Liga giants.
During his only season as a senior with the northerners, 2009–10, Alex was summoned to four games with the first team: on 17 October 2009, he played 20 minutes against Sertanense F.C. for the Portuguese Cup after coming on as a substitute for Mariano González in a 4–0 home win; he also remained on the bench in two League Cup matches and the 2–1 home triumph over APOEL FC in the UEFA Champions League.
Santa Clara
In the summer of 2010, Alex signed with C.D. Santa Clara in the second division. He appeared in 26 games (19 starts) in his first year with the Azores club.
Alex scored his first goal for the team on 22 October 2011, netting through a penalty and also providing an assist in a 2–1 home defeat of U.D. Oliveirense. He repeated the feat the following weekend and in the same fashion, helping the visitors draw 2–2 at C.D. Aves.
Guimarães
On 3 July 2013, Alex joined Vitória S.C. on a four-year contract. He was initially assigned to their reserves, in the third level.
Alex managed to find the net in his Portuguese top flight debut on 4 April 2014, but in a 1–3 home loss to G.D. Estoril Praia. On 31 January 2017, having been rarely played over the course of his third and fourth seasons, he was loaned to fellow league side Moreirense F.C. until June; he scored twice during his short spell – including once in a 3–1 home win against Porto – helping to a narrow escape from relegation.
Salernitana
In the 2017 off-season, Alex moved abroad for the first time and signed with U.S. Salernitana 1919 from the Italian Serie B. In the following transfer window, he was loaned to F.C. Pro Vercelli 1892 in the same tier.
International career
In 2009, Alex was part of the Portugal under-19 side that failed to make the 2009 UEFA European Championship. As the country qualified for the next edition in France, he contributed with four goals in six matches and was picked for the final squad in an eventual group stage exit.
Alex was selected for Portugal's squad at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He played all the games but one in Colombia en route to the second place, scoring in the 2–3 final loss against Brazil.
Honours
Porto
- Taça de Portugal: 2009–10