Biography
Who is Éder?
Early life and career beginnings
Éder: Born in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, the athlete relocated to Portugal during his youth. He began his football path with Associação Desportiva e Cultural da Adémia while living in the Coimbra District. At age 11, he started training within local structures. His senior debut came with lower-division clubs Oliveira do Hospital and G.D. Tourizense. The latter operated as a farm team for Académica de Coimbra. These formative experiences laid the foundation for his professional transition into the top tier of the sport.
Rise in Portuguese football
In 2008, he signed with Académica, marking his entry into the Primeira Liga. His debut occurred on August 24 against C.F. Estrela da Amadora. Throughout his time there, he developed his skills as a target man, known for his physical presence and aerial ability. He helped the club secure the Portuguese Cup after defeating Sporting CP, although his participation was limited during the final stages due to a suspension.
In 2012, he transferred to S.C. Braga on a four-year contract. During his tenure at Braga, he became a central figure in the attack. He netted important goals in the Taça de Portugal and league competitions, including a memorable brace against Rio Ave F.C. And a winner against FC Porto. Despite a ligament tear that cut his 2013 season short, he remained a key offensive asset for the side until his departure.
International achievements
His national team career started after impressive displays at the club level. He first appeared for Portugal in 2012 during World Cup qualifiers. He represented his country at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he featured against Germany and the United States. His most significant contribution to the national team occurred during UEFA Euro 2016.
Coming off the bench as a substitute in the final against France, he scored the only goal of the match after extra time. This strike secured the tournament trophy for Portugal. He continued to participate in international duty for several years following this victory, though he was not selected for the 2018 World Cup squad.
Clubs abroad
His career included several spells outside Portugal. In 2015, he joined the English side Swansea City for a significant fee. He struggled to find the back of the net there and eventually moved on loan to the French club Lille OSC. He later signed a permanent deal with the French team, helping them qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
In 2017, he moved to Russia to join FC Lokomotiv Moscow on loan, which later became a permanent transfer. During his time in Russia, he scored a crucial goal against FC Zenit Saint Petersburg that helped the team clinch their first league title since 2004. He also contributed to several cup victories for the club. His final professional stint was with the Saudi club Al Raed FC, which he joined in 2021 before leaving a year later.
Personal life and family
Outside of his professional duties, he has focused on his family life. In 2017, he married Sanna Ladera, who works as a model from Belgium. The couple has two sons together named Kaï and Rio. Since stepping away from active play, he has taken on administrative responsibilities within the Portuguese Football Federation.
Birthday and age
Éder was born on December 22, 1987, which makes Éder 38 years old today. That birthday falls under the Capricorn sign. Éder shares the date with 47 other famous people.
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