7 November 2005, by Pedro Almeida

A Portuguese hero in Bulgaria

Ex-Porto striker storms to prominence at new club

Bulgaria has a new hero and his name is José Furtado. He plays for Vihren of Bulgaria’s first division and is currently the league’s top scorer.

Jose Furtado started his career at the semi-professional Lisbon club Casa Pia and it was not long before his dream of playing for a big Portuguese team came true, as Porto came knocking.

He signed for Porto in 2004, but there his dream turned sour. He had an up and down year that saw him being loaned to Tourizense of the second division B. After scoring 14 goals in the first half of the season all seemed well, but an injury mid-season forced him to reassess his situation.

Porto decided to let him go at the end of the 2004/05 season, but when all seemed lost an opportunity came from an unexpected place - Bulgaria. He signed a contract for Vihren of Bulgaria’s first division until 2007 and he has already made an impact in the league, scoring 10 goals in 10 games.

International aspirations

This has not gone unnoticed by fans, teams and coaches. His popularity is growing and so are his aspirations of playing for Portugal. Furtado has played for Portugal’s under-20 team, but he hopes his goals will give him a chance to break into the senior squad.

This 22-year-old appears to have a bright career ahead of him, and if his impressive form continues he just might see his dream come true.