Portuguese footballer
Bruno Manuel Rodrigues Silva (born 5 August 1982), known as Bruno China, is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, currently a manager.
He spent most of his career with Leixões, representing the club in all three major levels of Portuguese football. He appeared in 150 Primeira Liga matches over eight seasons, and also competed professionally in Spain.
Playing career
China, a youth product of Leixões S.C. that was born in Matosinhos, participated in the club's promotion from the third division into the Primeira Liga. He made his debut in the latter competition on 18 August 2007, on the first day of the season against S.L. Benfica (1–1 home draw),[1] and only missed one game as the side retained their league status.
In late August 2009, after extensive negotiations,[2] China joined Spain's RCD Mallorca on a three-year contract, even though manager Gregorio Manzano opposed his signing.[3] He made his La Liga debut on 13 September, playing the last five minutes of a 1–1 draw at Villarreal CF,[4] and appeared rarely throughout the campaign as the Balearic Islands team finished fifth and qualified for the UEFA Europa League.[5]
China was released from contract in August 2010, returning to his country shortly after with Rio Ave FC.[6] He continued competing in the top flight the following years, representing Académica de Coimbra[7] and C.F. Os Belenenses.[8]
In late December 2015, the 33-year-old China returned to Leixões.[9] He retired three years later, after as many second-tier seasons.[10]
Coaching career
China worked as an assistant manager at his last club. He was the side's interim manager for one game after the dismissal of Carlos Pinto in January 2020, leaving the under-23 side and the Estádio do Mar altogether after not being retained.[11]
On 7 January 2021, China was appointed head coach at S.C. Espinho in the third tier.[12] In the ensuing summer, he joined F.C. Felgueiras 1932 in the same league.[13]
References
- ^ Benfica dependente de Rui Costa deixa escapar vitória no último minuto (Hooked-on-Rui Costa Benfica let win slip away in last minute); Público, 18 August 2007 (in Spanish)
- ^ Mallorca chasing Bruno China Archived 30 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine; PortuGOAL, 19 August 2009
- ^ Mercado: El portugués Bruno China, primer fichaje del Mallorca (Market: Portuguese Bruno China, first Mallorca signing); Goal, 20 August 2009 (in Spanish)
- ^ Villarreal held at home to Mallorca; ESPN Soccernet, 13 September 2009
- ^ Bruno China apartado del Mallorca (Bruno China ousted from Mallorca); Fichajes, 6 August 2010 (in Spanish)
- ^ Bruno China satisfeito com integração (Bruno China happy with integration); SAPO, 7 August 2010 (in Portuguese)
- ^ Aí está o primeiro reforço da Briosa 2012/2013: Bruno China! (Here's the first addition of 2012/2013 Briosa: Bruno China!); Académica Coimbra, 30 May 2012 (in Portuguese)
- ^ Bruno China é reforço no Restelo (Bruno China is an addition at the Restelo); O Jogo, 30 January 2014 (in Portuguese)
- ^ Bruno China de volta (Bruno China is back); Record, 25 December 2015 (in Portuguese)
- ^ Bruno China terminou a carreira (Bruno China ended career); Record, 12 May 2018 (in Portuguese)
- ^ Leixões diz que Bruno China abandonou Sub-23 depois de não ficar como treinador principal (Leixões say Bruno China left the Under-23 after not remaining as head coach); Record, 17 February 2020 (in Portuguese)
- ^ Bruno China é o novo treinador do Espinho: confira as novidades de mercado (Bruno China is the new manager of Espinho: check out transfer news); O Jogo, 7 January 2021 (in Portuguese)
- ^ Bruno China oficializado como treinador do Felgueiras (Bruno China confirmed as Felgueiras manager); Record, 10 July 2021 (in Portuguese)
External links
