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Xeka
Portuguese footballer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Miguel Ângelo da Silva Rocha (born 10 November 1994), known as Xeka (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʃɛkɐ]), is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Primeira Liga club Estoril.
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Brought up at Braga, he spent most of his career in France, playing for Lille, Dijon and Rennes in Ligue 1 and winning the league with the first of those teams in 2020–21 while making 144 total appearances.
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Club career
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Braga
Born in Rebordosa, Paredes,[3] Xeka received his nickname from his grandfather for being the youngest of his siblings, just like him.[4] He played youth football with three clubs, including Valencia CF from Spain until the age of 17.[5] Having returned to his homeland, he started playing as a senior with S.C. Braga's reserves in the Segunda Liga, being then loaned for two years to S.C. Covilhã of the same league.[6] On 23 September 2013, whilst at the service of the former side, he scored his first goal in competition, but in a 1–3 home loss against S.L. Benfica B.[7]
Xeka started being called to Braga's first team in October 2016, by manager José Peseiro.[8] He made his debut in the Primeira Liga late in that month, featuring the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 home win over G.D. Chaves.[9] His fortunes changed, however, when Jorge Simão became the new coach before the end of the year.[10]
Lille
On 31 January 2017, Xeka was loaned to Lille OSC from Ligue 1 until June.[11] He made his debut four days later as a starter in a 1–0 home loss to FC Lorient.[12] He made 13 appearances for the 12th-place team and scored in a 3–0 win at Montpellier HSC on 29 April, assisted by compatriot Rony Lopes.[13]
In June 2017, Lille exercised the €5 million buyout clause to make Xeka's move permanent.[14] In the last hours of the summer transfer window, he joined Dijon FCO in the same league in a season-long loan.[15] He became a regular under Christophe Galtier at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy the following year, but suffered a thigh injury in a 5–1 home victory over Paris Saint-Germain FC on 14 April 2019, ruling him out until September.[16]
Xeka contributed 33 matches and one goal during the 2020–21 campaign to help Lille win the national championship for the fourth time in their history.[17] On 1 August 2021, he scored in the 1–0 defeat of PSG in the Trophée des Champions, with the club winning that trophy for the first time ever.[18]
On 20 May 2022, Xeka was released at the end of his contract.[19]
Rennes
On 21 September 2022, Xeka agreed to a two-year deal at Stade Rennais F.C. also of the French top tier.[20] He made his debut on 9 October, starting in a 3–0 home win over Derby Breton rivals FC Nantes.[21] In January, he had ankle surgery.[22]
Xeka left Roazhon Park by mutual consent on 10 August 2023, with only nine matches to his name.[23]
Later career
On 1 May 2024, Al Sadd SC of the Qatar Stars League signed Xeka as a replacement for the injured Guilherme Torres.[24] On 15 August, having made no appearances, he moved to G.D. Estoril Praia on a one-year contract.[25]
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International career
Xeka earned one cap for Portugal at under-20 level on 5 February 2014, in a 2–0 friendly win over Slovakia under-21 in Marinha Grande. He played the final ten minutes as a substitute for Tomás Podstawski.[26]
Career statistics
- As of match played 7 January 2023[27]
- Includes Taça de Portugal and Coupe de France
- Includes Taça da Liga and Coupe de la Ligue
- Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- Appearance in Trophée des Champions
Honours
Lille
References
External links
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