Paulo Ricardo Ribeiro de Jesus Machado (born March 31, 1986 in Bairro do Cerco, Porto) is a Portuguese footballer who currently plays for Toulouse FC in the French first division, as a midfielder.

[edit] Club career

Machado started his career in F.C. Porto's youth system, and made his first team debut in the 2003–04 Portuguese Cup, under José Mourinho. In summer 2005, after a short loan with Académica de Coimbra, he signed an improved contact until 2010 along with teammate Bruno Vale, before both went on consecutive loans to C.F. Estrela da Amadora and União de Leiria.^[1]

From 2007–09, Machado was loaned again, respectively to Leixões S.C. and French League's AS Saint-Étienne. Alongside teammates Diogo Valente and Vieirinha, also loaned by Porto, he was instrumental as the Matosinhos outfit retained its league status at the season's close.

On July 10, 2008, he was loaned to the French outfit, part of the deal that brought Colombian Freddy Guarín to Porto.^[2] Machado adapted well, becoming an integral part of Saint-Étienne's season, scoring twice in his first 16 matches, including 12 as a starter, and only missing three league matches in the campaign, as the side narrowly avoided relegation.

On 2 July 2009, Toulouse FC signed Machado from Porto, on a four-year deal.^[3]

[edit] International career

Machado was part of the Portuguese U-21 team at the 2007 European Championship.

Previously, he won the U-17 Euro in 2003, playing alongside Vieirinha.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Stats and profile at Zerozero
• UEFA.com profile