Mauro Vilhete

Born in Rio de Mouro, Sintra, Portugal,[3][4] Vilhete moved to Barnet, England at a young age. He attended The Ravenscroft School, where he was tasked with analysing data from Barnet F.C. matches.[5] He joined Barnet's youth team in 2009 after turning down an offer of a scholarship from Aston Villa. Following a series of injuries to first-team regulars, manager Ian Hendon called him into the first-team squad in November 2009, however he only appeared on the bench during this time. In April 2010, he signed a two-year professional contract with the Bees. He made his debut on 1 May 2010 in a 2–0 away defeat to Grimsby Town aged 16,[6] becoming Barnet's youngest ever Football League player, breaking the record of 17 years and 46 days set by Kofi Lockhart-Adams against Cheltenham Town on 24 November 2009,[7] before losing the record to Mathew Stevens on 6 September 2014.[8] Vilhete scored his first goal for Barnet in October 2010 against Southend United in the Football League Trophy.[9] Vilhete joined Hendon on a one-month loan on 4 November 2011, where he made six appearances.[10][11] He then joined Boreham Wood on another one-month loan on 17 February 2012.[12]

On 31 August 2012, Vilhete joined Boreham Wood on loan again until January 2013.[13]

On 25 April 2015, Vilhete scored both goals in a 2–0 win over Gateshead to secure the Conference title for Barnet and promotion back to League Two. He was also awarded the Conference Player of the Month award for April.[14]

Vilhete was loaned to Boreham Wood for a third time on 30 October 2015.[15] He scored a day later, in a 2–3 home defeat against Gateshead.[16]

Martin Allen made Vilhete available on a free transfer at the end of the 2015-16 season,[17] but no move materialised and he worked his way back into first-team contention.

In the 2019-20 season, he made his 200th appearance for the Bees and scored in the National League playoffs against Yeovil Town.[18] He left the club at the end of the season, having scored 25 goals in 235 games across eleven seasons.[19]

On 19 September 2020, Vilhete joined Isthmian League side Wingate & Finchley.[20] In January 2021, he joined Hampton & Richmond Borough on dual registration basis.[21]

On 12 March 2021, Vilhete signed for National League side Dagenham & Redbridge.[22] He spent two years with the club before being released in the summer of 2023. [23]

Vilhete joined Hayes & Yeading United on 9 September 2023. Ten days later he joined Southend United on dual registration,[24] making a brief substitute appearance against Maidenhead United the same day.[25]

In November 2010, Vilhete said he wanted to play international football for either England or Portugal, but said "it would probably be Portugal in the end".[26] In March 2011, he was called up for a training camp with the Portugal national under-18 football team.[27]

Vilhete has played on both the left and right sides as a full-back and winger, and has also played central midfield for Barnet. He has also played as a forward. He has been described as a utility player.[28][29]