Joao Pereira

Joao Pedro da Silva Pereira is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Valencia CF in Spain and the Portuguese national team, mainly as a right defender. A product of S.L. Benfica\'s youth system, Pereira first appeared with its main side on 17 August 2003 in a 0–0 away draw against Boavista FC, and finished his debut season with 25 league appearances, mostly as a midfielder. He was part of the Benfica squad that won the 2005 championship, starting often, until a fallout with coach Ronald Koeman relegated him to the bench, and later to the B team. He was sold to Gil Vicente F.C. in the 2006 summer. In 2007-08, fully reconverted into a right back, Pereira joined S.C. Braga. On 22 December 2009, Pereira moved to Sporting Clube de Portugal for a fee of €3 million. Braga led the league alongside Benfica, with 12 points in advance to his new club, with the Lions eventually finishing fourth. On 24 May 2012, Pereira signed with Valencia CF in Spain for €3.6 million. He made his official debut on 19 August, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 away draw against Real Madrid.