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Emilio Estevez (footballer)
Taiwanese footballer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Emilio Estevez Tsai (Chinese: 蔡立靖 Tsai Li-ching; born 10 August 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Singapore Premier League club Tanjong Pagar United. Born in Canada, Estevez represents Chinese Taipei internationally.
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Early life
Estevez began playing youth soccer with the Etobicoke Energy before switching to Clarkson SC in Mississauga as well as playing futsal.[1] In 2016, when he was 18, he spent a year training with the lower teams of La Liga club Levante.[2][3] He then spent a week on trial with Queen's Park Rangers before returning to Canada.[4]
In 2017, he attended Sheridan College, making seven appearances and scoring one goal for the Bruins.[5]
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Club career
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Canada
In 2018, Estevez played for League1 Ontario side North Mississauga SC, making eight appearances in league play.[6] He also played in the Canadian Soccer League with SC Waterloo Region.[7]
In October 2018, Estevez participated in the Canadian Premier League Open Trials in Toronto, where he was highly rated by scouts.[8][9] On 8 February 2019, Estevez signed with CPL side York9.[9] On 4 May 2019, he made his professional debut as a starter in a match against Cavalry FC and assisted York's lone goal in a 2–1 loss.[10] Estevez scored his first goal for York on 27 July against HFX Wanderers, netting the final goal in a 6–2 victory.[11] On 10 December 2019, it was announced that Estevez had re-signed for the upcoming season.[12]
Europe
On 12 May 2020, he moved to Dutch Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag in a transfer for an initial fee in the range of $100,000 CAD, plus add-ons and a sell on clause.[13] He agreed to a one-year contract with the club, with an option to extend for a further year.[14] Estevez became the first player to move from the Canadian Premier League to a top-flight club in Europe,[15] and was to be the first ever Taiwanese player to ply his trade in the Dutch Eredivisie, and the third overall to play in a top European League.[16][17] He made his first appearance in a pre-season friendly against Almere City FC on 8 August, playing the second half.[18][19] Initially joining the first team, he was moved to begin the season with the U21 side.[20] On 29 January 2021, he and the club agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent, after he appeared in only two substitute appearances for the U21 side.[21][22]
In 2021, he joined Ourense CF, playing in the Spanish fourth tier Tercera División.[23][24] After departing Spain, he returned to Canada and trained (but did not sign) with his former club York United FC (who had since changed their name from York9 FC).[25]
Asia
In the summer of 2022, he trained with China League One side Guangxi Pingguo.[26]
In October 2022, Estevez signed a contract with Hong Kong Premier League club Eastern.[27][28] He made his debut on 16 October 2022 against Resources Capital.[29] He scored his first goal on 23 October 2022 in a 3–1 Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield match, also against Resources Capital.[30][31] He scored his first league goal in a match against Sham Shui Po on 29 October 2022.[32] In the summer of 2023, the club announced his departure.[33]
On 24 August 2023, Estevez joined league rivals Rangers.[34] Immediately after on 25 August 2023, it was announced that he was loaned to Tai Po for a season.[35] Following his departure from the Hong Kong circuit, he joined Hang Yuan in the Taiwan Football Premier League in July 2024.[36][37]
In July 2025, he signed with Singapore Premier League club Tanjong Pagar United,[38] becoming the first Taiwanese player to play in the league.[citation needed]
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International career
Born in Toronto to a Spanish father and a Taiwanese Hakka mother, Estevez was eligible to represent Canada, Chinese Taipei, or Spain internationally.[1]
In 2018, Estevez was invited to train with the Chinese Taipei national team.[39] In February 2019, shortly after signing for York9, Estevez received another call-up from Chinese Taipei for a friendly against the Solomon Islands, but did not appear in the match due to injury.[39][40][41] He made his debut as a starter in their loss to Australia during 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification on 15 October 2019.[42]
He returned to the national team program in the summer of 2023, to face Thailand in a friendly match.[43]
Personal life
Despite the similarity in name to actor Emilio Estevez, he was actually named after former Real Madrid player Emilio Butragueño.[4]
Career statistics
Club
- As of 26 May 2024
- Appearance(s) in the Canadian Championship and Hong Kong FA Cup
- Appearance(s) in the Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield
- Appearance(s) in the Hong Kong Sapling Cup
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References
External links
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