Minhoca
Nélson Alexandre Farpelha Estrela (born 29 April 1988), known as Minhoca, is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Varzim S.C. as an attacking midfielder.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Nélson Alexandre Farpelha Estrela | ||
Date of birth | 29 April 1988 | ||
Place of birth | Ponta Delgada, Portugal | ||
Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
Playing position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Varzim | ||
Number | 20 | ||
Youth career | |||
1999–2004 | Marítimo Ponta Delgada | ||
2005 | Oliveirenses | ||
2005–2006 | Marítimo Ponta Delgada | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2006–2011 | Micaelense | 68 | (14) |
2011–2014 | Santa Clara | 80 | (7) |
2014–2017 | Paços Ferreira | 66 | (3) |
2017–2019 | Santa Clara | 37 | (3) |
2019– | Varzim | 13 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19 January 2020 |
Club career
Born in Ponta Delgada, Azores, Minhoca earned his nickname meaning "earthworm" in his native language for his dribbling ability while a youth player at Marítimo Sport Clube in his hometown.[1] He began his senior career with C.U. Micaelense in the fourth division and, in June 2011, he signed a three-year deal with C.D. Santa Clara of the Segunda Liga, again in his native islands.[2]
In January 2014, Primeira Liga club F.C. Paços de Ferreira secured Minhoca on a 31⁄2-year contract.[3] He scored his first goals for his new team on 23 November, a brace in a 9–0 rout of amateurs Clube Atlético Riachense in the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal;[4] his first top-flight goal was on 17 April 2016, in a 4–3 away win against C.F. União.[5]
Minhoca returned to Santa Clara in May 2017, on a two-year deal.[6] In his first season in his second spell, he contributed three goals as they were promoted as runners-up to C.D. Nacional; on 17 September he received a straight red card after half an hour in a 2–1 victory at Gil Vicente FC.[7]
In July 2019, released by Santa Clara, Minhoca agreed to a one-year contract at Varzim S.C. in the second tier.[8]
References
- "Minhoca rendido ao potencial do Paços de Ferreira" [Minhoca surrendered to Paços de Ferreira's potential]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 22 January 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- "Minhoca é primeiro reforço do Santa Clara" [Minhoca is Santa Clara's first addition]. Correio da Manhã (in Portuguese). 7 June 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- "Paços de Ferreira contrata Minhoca ao Santa Clara" [Paços de Ferreira sign Minhoca from Santa Clara] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- "Com show de Cícero e Minhoca, Paços de Ferreira faz 9 a 0 em time da 3ª divisão" [With a show from Cícero and Minhoca, Paços de Ferreira do a 9–0 against 3rd division team] (in Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 23 November 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- "Paços de Ferreira vence União da Madeira por 4–3 na I Liga" [Paços de Ferreira defeat União da Madeira 4–3 in I League] (in Portuguese). TSF. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- "Santa Clara assegura Minhoca até 2019" [Santa Clara secure Minhoca until 2019]. Record (in Portuguese). 16 May 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- "Gil Vicente-Santa Clara, 1–2: Açorianos mantêm liderança" [Gil Vicente-Santa Clara, 1–2: Azoreans maintain lead]. Record (in Portuguese). 17 September 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- "Minhoca muda-se do Santa Clara para o Varzim" [Minhoca moves from Santa Clara to Varzim] (in Portuguese). TVI 24. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.