António Bernardo Parcana Marco Almeida (born 4 April 1977) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a central defender.

Almeida was born in Barreiro, Setúbal and started his football career at Lourinhanense in 1996 before moving on to Sporting Lisbon in 1998, also spending a period on loan at Campomaiorense.

In July 1999, he was signed by Southampton's manager Dave Jones on a year's loan with a view to a permanent move.^[1] After impressing in pre-season friendlies^[2] he made his first-team debut as a 71st minute substitute for Claus Lundekvam in a Premiership match against Arsenal at the Dell on 19 September 1999. Within eight minutes, he was alongside fellow substitute Thierry Henry just outside the Southampton area when Henry received a pass from Tony Adams; in trying to clear the ball, Almeida stumbled allowing Henry to wrap his foot around the ball and send a rocket of a shot into the far corner of the Southampton net.^[3] This was Henry's first goal in English football.

Although Almeida made a few appearances for Southampton's reserves, including scoring in a 2-2 draw with Chelsea on 22 September 1999, he was never again called into the first team, and in December the loan was cancelled.^[4]

Almeida then returned to Campomaiorense, before moving on to Alverca in 2001. He has subsequently played for Real Murcia (Spain), Maia and Portimonense (both Portugal) before joining Cyprus club Nea Salamis in 2007.

He had unsuccessful trials with Bolton Wanderers in September 2000^[5] and with Cardiff City (under his former Southampton manager, Dave Jones) in 2007. He now plays in the Portuguese 3rd tier, called only 2nd division, in Lusitânia F.C. Lourosa.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official Website
• Profile at www.zerozero.pt
• Marco Almeida career stats at Soccerbase