André Bahia

Flamengo

Bahia started his football career at the Escolinha Júlio César, a football school run by the former Flamengo player. After daily visiting the escolinha for two years he was asked to do a trial at Flamengo Categories of Base in 1994. Bahia joined Flamengo, where he initially played as a left-winger before switching to left-back position before playing in the central defense. It was the central defence position that meant his breakthrough in professional football. In the 2001 season, he made his professional debut for Flamengo, where he started the whole game, in a 2–1 loss against Santa Cruz on 2 September 2001. After this, he received a handful of first team appearances throughout September by Manager Mário Zagallo. On 10 October 2001, Bahia scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw against Botafogo. At the end of the 2001 season, Bahia went on to make ten appearances and scoring once for the side in all competitions. In the 2002 season, Bahia became a first team regular after Manager Lula Pereira gave him more playing time. After the sacking of Pereira, Bahia continued to remain in the first team under the new management of Evaristo de Macedo. At the end of the 2002 season, he went on to make 24 appearances in all competitions. In the 2003 season, Bahia continued to be in the first team by new manager Oswaldo de Oliveira. On 30 March 2003, he scored his first goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Coritiba. Bahia then spent the rest of the year,…

In 2000, Bahia was called up by Mário Zagallo to represent Brazil at the under 20 level, and some point, he even became the captain of this team. Three years, Bahia was then called up to the Brazil again but this time, it was at the under 23 level. After five years in the Netherlands after joining Feyenoord, Bahia said that he was open to apply for Dutch citizenship, and was applying for a Portuguese citizenship. Bahia said he was open to play for the national team.

In addition to speaking Portuguese, Bahia speaks Dutch, which he learned from during his time at Feyenoord. Since moving to Japan, Bahia spoke out his life in the country, having taking an interest there. Bahia is married to his wife Tatiana and together, they have two children, David and Caio. During his time at Shonan Bellmare, he earned a nickname by the club: Tetsuyoroitoshi (Gladiator).

André Bahia was born and raised in the Tijuca area of Rio de Janeiro. He has four brothers from his father's side from a previous marriage and one sister. His father was a professional boxer in one of the lightest classes available. He was a six time Rio State champion.