Official name: União Desportiva de Leiria    City: Leiria Best League Performance: 4th place  (2000/01)     Best Cup Performance: Finalists (2002/03) Website: www.udl.leirianet.pt

Star man - Carlao

Carlao was the driving force behind Leiria’s sensational surge up the Liga de Honra (2nd Tier) table in the second half of 2008/09, which ended with promotion to the Portuguese top flight, scoring 12 goals in 13 matches.

The step up in quality did not prove a problem for the striker plucked from the Brazilian backwaters, as he quickly started notching up the goals in the Liga Sagres. Just as he was drawing serious attention from Sporting his season was disrupted by injury, and a subsequent loss of form ended hopes of a big-money move - as least for a while longer. Carlao will be keen to rediscover the lethal touch in front of goal as quickly as possible.

2010/11 Squad

Goalkeepers: Gottardi, Andjelko Djuricic, Mika

Defenders: Diego Gaucho, Bruno Miguel, Rai, Renato Saldanha, Hugo Gomes, Panandetiguiri, Mamadou Tall, Ze Antonio, Patrick, Milos Obradovic

Midfielders: Ricardo Pateiro, Vinicius, Diogo Amado, Paulo Sergio, Ruben Brigido, Marco Soares, Silas, Jardel, Marco Paulo, Leandro Lima

Forwards: Carlao, Serge N'Gal, Zhang, Andersen Lessa, Rodrigo Silva, Vjatseslav Zahovaiko, Joao Vieira, Outarra, Arthur Bernhardt

Stadium

 

Name: Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa
Capacity: 24,000