André Ricardo Soares (born 9 October 1981), known as Andrezinho, is a Brazilian former professional footballer. Mainly a right-back, he was equally at ease on the left flank.
![]() Andrezinho during his time at 1. FC Köln | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | André Ricardo Soares | ||
Date of birth | (1981-10-09) 9 October 1981 (age 40) | ||
Place of birth | Mineiros, Brazil | ||
Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
Position(s) | Full back | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2001–2002 | Mineiros | ||
2003 | São Raimundo-AM | ||
2004 | Vila Nova | ||
2005 | Goiás | ||
2006 | Coritiba | 19 | (0) |
2007 | Vila Nova | ||
2007–2010 | Vitória Guimarães | 76 | (6) |
2010–2012 | 1. FC Köln | 15 | (0) |
2013 | Anápolis | 2 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Andrezinho was born in Mineiros, Goiás. After playing for five teams in his country in six years, he moved in July 2007 to Portugal with Vitória SC, as the Guimarães-based club had just returned from the second division.
An undisputed starter from the very beginning, Andrezinho only missed one game en route to a final third place in the Primeira Liga, with the subsequent qualification to the UEFA Champions League. In the 2009–10 season he enjoyed his best year as a professional, scoring five goals in 25 matches – often from free kicks[1]– as Vitória finished in sixth position, narrowly missing out on a UEFA Europa League spot.
In late July 2010, Andrezinho joined 1. FC Köln in Germany, penning a two-year contract and reuniting with former Guimarães teammate Pedro Geromel.[2][3] However, coach Frank Schaefer saw no perspective for him in a reorganised team, and advised him to leave in the following transfer window.[4]