Portominise (Portugal), Sporting Lisbon (Portugal), CS Maritimo
(Portugal), AD Liera (Portugal), FC Porto (Portugal), Everton FC
(England)
Honours
UEFA Cup (2003)
Portuguese League (2003, 2004)
UEFA Champions League (2004)
FIFA World club Championship (2004)
Biography
Nuno Jorge Pereira Silva Valente, commonly known just as Nuno
Valente is a football (soccer) player who plays on the left side
of defence. He was born in Lisbon on 12 September 1974. He plays
for Everton and has been capped 18 times for Portugal including
several appearances at Euro 2004.
Valente began his career at Portuguese second division outfit
Portominise. After only two years in the lower divisions he
impressed a scout for Sporting Lisbon. Valente found his first
team chances limited in Lisbon and despite success in winning
the Portuguese cup in 1995 he was loaned out 1996/1997 to CS
Maritimo. A young Jose Mourinho recognised hist talent and
brought him to his then club, AD Liera.
Valente spent 2 years at AD Liera helping the club achieve
successive promotions. In 2000 when Mourinho left to join FC
Porto Valente and club mate Derlei were the first signings he
made. Valente repaid Mourinho's faith in him with some good
displays as Porto romped to the Portuguese title and won the
UEFA Cup against Celtic. The following season Valente produced
yet another stunning season helping his club to the Champions
League Final. Porto won 3-0 against AS Monaco and for the second
time in two years Valente was able to a collect a winners medal.
After Mourinho left for Chelsea Valente picked up a succession
of injuries. In total he only played 8 games in that entire
domestic season. He returned in time to face Inter Milan in the
champions League quarter final but could not prevent his team
losing 4-2 on aggregate.
After another poor season he was signed by Everton from Porto on
the recommendation of his mentor Jose Mourinho at the end of
August 2005 when the Merseyside club lost regular left-back
Alessandro Pistone to injury.
