Fumaça

Born in Belém, Fumaça began his career with Catuense,. In August 1998, he had a month loan spell at Benfica but he wanted to join an English club. Holding a Portuguese passport, he was allowed to take a year abroad on loans and the club would accept an offer of £500,000 for him.

English tour

In the end of 1998, Fumaça joined Birmingham City on a three-month loan with an option to stay on a permanent deal. He played in a friendly against Walsall and one reserve game against Leeds United, where he was substituted at the half-time. After the match, the club decided against signing him and ended his loan. In his next trial at Grimsby Town, he scored three goals in three matches and although the club wanted him to sign, he decided to take a new trial at Derby County, which was not successful. He underwent another unsuccessful trial with Watford. Fumaça then joined Second Division side Colchester United, making his debut in only the second ever TV pay-per-view game when Colchester hosted Manchester City. Colchester lost the game 1–0, but not before Fumaça was stretchered off injured after just 14 minutes following a collision with Andy Morrison. After having his contract cancelled at Colchester United, he joined Barnsley but failed to play a single match and was also cut from the team after John Hendrie was sacked. Allowed to stay one more season abroad, Fumaça joined Crystal Palace where Mick Wadsworth, his coach at Colchester United, was appointed an assistant. He…