Umaro Baldé (footballer, born 2002)

Umaro Baldé (born 7 October 2002) is a footballer who plays as a midfielder. Born in Guinea-Bissau, he represented Portugal at youth international level.

Umaro Baldé
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-10-07) 7 October 2002
Place of birth Quelele, Guinea-Bissau
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2012–2014 Damaiense
2014–2019 Sporting CP
2019–2021 Rangers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022 Pacific FC 4 (0)
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]

International career

He represented Portugal at the U15 and U16 levels.[18][19] In 2020, he was called up to a camp for the Portugal U18 team.[1]

References
  1. Morgan, James (10 March 2020). "Rangers' Umaro Balde willing to graft to regain Portugal place". The Herald.
  2. Neves, Fábio (7 November 2019). "Entrevista a Umaro Baldé "A rivalidade do Rangers contra o Celtic é enorme"" [Interview with Umaro Baldé “Rangers' rivalry against Celtic is huge”]. Domínio de Bola (in Portuguese).
  3. Williams, Craig (5 June 2019). "Rangers set to announce signing of Portuguese youngster Umaro Balde". Football Scotland.
  4. Jack, Christopher (28 October 2019). "Umaro Balde loving life in Glasgow after leaving Sporting Lisbon to join Rangers". Glasgow Times.
  5. Kerr, Stephen (22 October 2019). "Umaro Balde Q&A Highlights". Rangers F.C.
  6. Nash, Matthew (23 May 2019). "Reported Rangers newbie Umaro Balde was once jokingly valued at £22m". The Boot Room.
  7. Callaghan, Shane (9 July 2019). "Rangers appear to have signed Umaro Balde after youth debut". HITC.
  8. "Umaro Balde Shows Off New Piece of Jewellery". Everything Rangers. 8 March 2020.
  9. Dawson, Matt (26 March 2020). "Umaro Balde could be Rangers' Kamara successor". Football Fancast.
  10. Adeniyi, Dami (17 March 2022). "Pacific FC signs Portuguese midfielder Umaro Baldé". DamiAdeniyi.
  11. Carlisle, Jordan (1 February 2021). "Rangers academy starlet officially leaves Ibrox in late deadline day exit". Rangers News.
  12. "Done deal - Umaro Baldé (19) verruilt Rangers FC voor Pacific FC" [Done deal - Umaro Baldé (19) exchanges Rangers FC for Pacific FC]. Prestige Sports (in Dutch). 23 March 2022.
  13. Veth, Manuel (16 March 2022). "Umaro Baldé joins Pacific FC - "Want to continue to develop young players"". Transfermarkt.
  14. "Pacific FC signs Portuguese midfielder Umaro Baldé". Canadian Premier League. 16 March 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  15. "Pacific FC Signs Umaro Baldé of Portugal Amid Spring Training". Our Sports Central. 16 March 2022.
  16. Moreton, Bailey (29 May 2022). "Much-changed Pacific FC tie Valour FC at Langford's Starlight Stadium". Victoria News.
  17. Jacques, John (2 November 2022). "Haynes, Polisi, And Balde Depart Pacific FC". Northern Tribune.
  18. Jacques, John (16 March 2022). "Pacific Adds Umaro Balde From Rangers Academy". Northern Tribune.
  19. Silva, Flávio Miguel (16 March 2022). "Canadá: Ex-Sporting Umaro Baldé vai jogar no Pacific" [Canada: Former Sporting player Umaro Baldé will play for Pacific]. Record (in Portuguese).
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