en Rafael Santos (footballer, born 1997)

Rafael Santos
Personal information
Full name	Rafael Vicente Ferreira Santos
Date of birth	14 February 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth	Cascais, Portugal
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
2008–2012	Sporting CP
2012–2014	Estoril
2014–2015	Real SC
2015–2016	Oeiras
2016	Casa Pia
Senior career*
Years	Team
2016–2018	Moura
2018–2019	Olímpico Montijo
2019–2020	Amora
2020	Fátima
2020–2021	Oriental
2021–2022	Belenenses SAD
2022–2023	Real
2023–2024	Stal Mielec
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 June 2024

Rafael "Rafa" Vicente Ferreira Santos (born 14 February 1997) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.

Club career

Santos is a youth product of Flamengo, Estoril, Real SC, Oeiras and Casa Pia. He spent most of his early career in the Campeonato de Portugal . He began his senior career with Moura, and followed that with stints at Olímpico Montijo, Amora Fátima, and Oriental. On 19 June 2019, he signed a three-year contract with Belenenses SAD in the Primeira Liga.^[2] Santos was called to the senior team after a COVID-19 outbreak hit the squad. One of only 9 starters in the squad for the match, he made his professional debut with B-SAD in a 7–0 Primeira Liga loss to Benfica on 24 July 2021 that ended up being called off.^[3]

On 14 July 2023, Ekstraklasa side Stal Mielec announced the signing of Santos on a two-year deal, with an option for another year.^[4] He and Stal agreed to part ways on 6 September 2024.^[5]