Umaro Baldé (born 7 October 2002) is a footballer who plays for Gafanha in the Portuguese District Championships. Born in Guinea-Bissau, he represented Portugal at youth international level.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 7 October 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Quelele, Guinea-Bissau | ||
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Gafanha | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2012–2014 | Damaiense | ||
| 2014–2019 | Sporting CP | ||
| 2019–2021 | Rangers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022 | Pacific FC | 4 | (0) |
| 2023– | Gafanha | ||
| International career | |||
| 2017 | Portugal U15 | 5 | (1) |
| 2017 | Portugal U16 | 2 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 November 2022 | |||
Early life
Baldé grew up in Quelele, Guinea-Bissau in poverty, with his family moving to Portugal when he was eight or nine for a better lifestyle.[1][2] At the age of 12, Balde joined the youth academy of Portuguese fifth tier side Damaiense.[1] After impressing in a match against the Sporting CP Youth Academy in a tournament, he was asked to join their program.[2] In 2019, he left Sporting.[3]
In 2019, he signed a contract with Scottish club Rangers' youth academy,[4][5] joining on a two-year contract.[6] He made his U18 debut in a pre-season friendly against Partick Thistle on 8 July.[7] Playing mainly with the U18 squad, he appeared for the club in UEFA Youth League matches,[8][9] as well as the reserve team.[10] He left the club by mutual consent on 1 February 2021.[11] After departing Rangers, he returned to Portugal and then participated in a two-month intensive training program with Prestige Sports to maintain fitness.[12]
Club career
In early 2022, he went on trial with Canadian Premier League club Pacific FC during their pre-season.[13] On 16 March 2022, Balde signed his first professional contract with Pacific for the 2022 season.[14][15] On 28 May, he debuted for Pacific FC during a 2–2 draw with Valour FC.[16] At the end of the year, Baldé departed the club.[17]
In the summer of 2023, he joined Portuguese club Gafanha.[18]
International career
He represented Portugal at the U15 and U16 levels.[19][20] In 2020, he was called up to a camp for the Portugal U18 team.[1]
References
External links
- Umaro Baldé at Soccerway
- Umaro Baldé national team profile at the Portuguese Football Federation (in Portuguese)
- Umaro Baldé club profile at the Portuguese Football Federation (in Portuguese)