Nuno Morais
Encyclopedia
Nuno Miguel Barbosa Morais (born 29 January 1984 in Penafiel
) is a Portuguese
footballer who plays for APOEL F.C. in Cyprus
. Mainly a defensive midfielder, he can also appear as a central defender.
's Chelsea
for an undisclosed fee, in a three-year contract after a successful trial period. He made his Chelsea debut in an FA Cup
victory over Scunthorpe United
in January 2005, playing the full 90 minutes.
However, Morais found first-team opportunities limited, spending most of the time with the reserves, and was loaned to C.S. Marítimo in the 2005–06 season, alongside compatriot Filipe Oliveira
. In that summer, he appeared twice for the Portuguese under-21s
at the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
on home soil, with Oliveira.
Returning to Chelsea, he only appeared twice in the league, totalling less than twenty minutes in home draws against Manchester United
and Everton F.C.
combined. On 11 May 2007, Morais signed a two-year deal with Cypriot champions APOEL FC, on a free transfer.
During his time there, Morais was reconverted to a defensive midfielder, and signed a new contract until June 2012. Since his debuts, he was an essential defensive unit, as the side won, amongst other trophies, two championships
, one cup and three super cups; he also appeared in all six group stage matches of the club, in APOEL's first UEFA Champions League
participation.
Penafiel, Portugal
The city of Penafiel had, as of 2001, a population of 9,343. It is located in Penafiel Municipality, that has 71,801 inhabitants....
) is a Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
footballer who plays for APOEL F.C. in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. Mainly a defensive midfielder, he can also appear as a central defender.
Football career
Morais started his career at hometown F.C. Penafiel, but in August 2004 was signed by EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
's Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
for an undisclosed fee, in a three-year contract after a successful trial period. He made his Chelsea debut in an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
victory over Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
in January 2005, playing the full 90 minutes.
However, Morais found first-team opportunities limited, spending most of the time with the reserves, and was loaned to C.S. Marítimo in the 2005–06 season, alongside compatriot Filipe Oliveira
Filipe Oliveira
Filipe Vilaça Oliveira is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Videoton FC in Hungary on loan from Parma F.C. in Serie A.Mainly a right midfielder, he can also appear as an offensive right defender.-Club career:...
. In that summer, he appeared twice for the Portuguese under-21s
Portugal national under-21 football team
The Portugal national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation . They are nicknamed "Esperanças." Esperança means hope, thus they are Portugal's hopes for the future...
at the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
-Group B:---------------------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Klaas Jan Huntelaar3 goals Thomas Kahlenberg Nicky Hofs2 goals Bryan Bergougnoux Ruslan Fomin Artem Milevskiy...
on home soil, with Oliveira.
Returning to Chelsea, he only appeared twice in the league, totalling less than twenty minutes in home draws against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and Everton F.C.
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
combined. On 11 May 2007, Morais signed a two-year deal with Cypriot champions APOEL FC, on a free transfer.
During his time there, Morais was reconverted to a defensive midfielder, and signed a new contract until June 2012. Since his debuts, he was an essential defensive unit, as the side won, amongst other trophies, two championships
Cypriot First Division
The Cypriot Championship First Division is the top tier football league competition in Cyprus. As of 2007 it is sponsored by Marfin Popular Bank and is hence officially known as Marfin Laiki League .-Format:...
, one cup and three super cups; he also appeared in all six group stage matches of the club, in APOEL's first UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
participation.
Honours
APOEL- Cypriot LeagueCypriot First DivisionThe Cypriot Championship First Division is the top tier football league competition in Cyprus. As of 2007 it is sponsored by Marfin Popular Bank and is hence officially known as Marfin Laiki League .-Format:...
: 2008–09, 2010–112010–11 Cypriot First Division-Personnel and kits:Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.-Managerial changes:-League table:-Results:... - Cypriot Cup: 2007–08
- Cypriot Super Cup: 2008, 2009, 2011