Marco Tiago

Born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Tiago began his professional career at Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, but never broke into the first team. Subsequently, he represented Ipatinga Futebol Clube and amateurs Estrela do Norte Futebol Clube in his homeland, moving to Portugal in 2006. During his first spell in the country, Tiago played in three Segunda Liga seasons, successively appearing for C.D. Feirense, G.D. Chaves, G.D. Estoril Praia and S.C. Freamunde. His best individual output came in 2009–10, when he scored four goals in 23 games for the latter club, helping it to the 12th place. Tiago joined PFC Cherno More Varna in Bulgaria on 27 May 2010, on a free transfer. He marked his First Professional Football League debut with a goal, in a 2–1 win against PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad on 31 July; on 14 November he scored his second league goal of the campaign, opening the scoring in a 3–0 home victory over PFC Minyor Pernik. After leaving the Eastern Europe nation, and following a very brief spell in Portugal, Tiago spent the vast majority of his career in his country's lower leagues. He made his professional debut in Brazil in 2014 at the age of 30, with Associação Desportiva Recreativa e Cultural Icasa in the Série B.