Quick Facts
Biography
Carlos Alberto Alves Garcia (born 6 September 1982), commonly known as Carlitos, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a left winger.
In his country, he played mainly with Estoril, but also won one Primeira Liga championship with Benfica. He spent most of his career in Switzerland, with Sion and Basel.
Club career
Early years / Benfica
Born in Lisbon, Carlitos started his professional career at Amora F.C. in 2001, at the age of 19. Two years later he moved to neighbours G.D. Estoril Praia, helping it achieve promotion to the Primeira Liga in his second year.
Subsequently, Carlitos caught the eye of S.L. Benfica, who signed the player after the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Germany, where he appeared with Portugal. He helped Benfica conquer their first league title in 11 years, but could never break into the first team (ten games, nine as a reserve, none complete).
Switzerland
In January 2006, Carlitos was loaned out to Vitória de Setúbal, making a good impression in six months. In June, he returned to Benfica but was immediately loaned out again, this time to Swiss side FC Sion, teaming up with compatriot – of Benfica and FC Porto fame – João Manuel Pinto.
In July 2007, Carlitos was sold definitely but stayed in the country, moving to FC Basel for a fee of €1.5 million. His official debut came on 22 July in a 1–0 win over FC Zürich at St. Jakob-Park, and he scored the club's 200th goal in European competition on 5 December, curling the ball into the back of the net from a free kick against SK Brann, also at home, which also meant that Basel qualified for the UEFA Cup's round-of-32.
Carlitos was a very important attacking element in Basel's double during his debut campaign. On 17 August 2008 he netted twice in a 4–1 win over the team's greatest rivals, Zürich, at the Letzigrund.
Hannover
On 3 August 2010, Carlitos moved to Germany and its Bundesliga by signing with Hannover 96 for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut on the 21st, retiring injured after three minutes in an eventual 2–1 home win against Eintracht Frankfurt; after being diagnosed with a tore cruciate ligament, he featured rarely until the end of his contract.
Later career
Carlitos returned to Portugal and its top division on 31 August 2012, re-joining former club Estoril. He scored his first goal for them in the competition on 9 February 2013 to close a 2–0 home victory over Vitória de Guimarães, adding six matches and one goal in the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League.
In the summer of 2014, Carlitos returned to Sion on a two-year deal.
Honours
Estoril
- Segunda Liga: 2003–04
Benfica
- Primeira Liga: 2004–05
Vitória Setúbal
- Taça de Portugal: Runner-up 2005–06
Basel
- Swiss Super League: 2007–08, 2009–10
- Swiss Cup: 2007–08, 2009–10
