Name Jose Semedo | Playing position Height 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) | |
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Full name Jose Filipe Correia Semedo Date of birth (1979-12-26) 26 December 1979 (age 35) | ||
José Filipe Correia Semedo (born 26 December 1979) is a Cape Verdean footballer who plays for C.F. Benfica as a forward.
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Club career
Born in Lisbon, Portugal, Semedo started his senior career with local amateurs C.F. Benfica, signing for neighbouring Odivelas F.C. in 2001. After stellar performances with the latter in the third division (18 goals in 29 matches in the 2007–08 season), he attracted attention from Primeira Liga clubs, eventually joining Rio Ave FC.
In his first match in the competition, on 24 August 2008, Semedo scored in a 1–1 home draw against S.L. Benfica. In January of the following year he moved to Cyprus, teaming up with several Portuguese players at APOP Kinyras FC.
In May 2010, after two solid seasons – including 22 Cypriot First Division goals in his first full campaign, competition best – he stayed in the country, signing with cup winners Apollon Limassol.
On 7 September 2013, Semedo joined Albanian Superliga side KF Tirana on a free transfer. He made his debut for the club on 29 September, playing 55 minutes in a 2–0 away defeat to KF Teuta Durrës. Four days later he scored his first goal of the season, the 1–0 winner over KS Kastrioti in which his team returned to winning ways after three consecutive losses; late into the month, in another game that finished with the same scoreline, he netted against KF Bylis Ballsh at Selman Stërmasi Stadium.
In December 2013, Semedo made his Albanian Cup debut with Tirana, appearing in a two-legged tie against KF Lushnja and featuring respectively 80 and 44 minutes in an eventual second round exit. He was released in the winter transfer window, scoring twice in 11 competitive appearances.
International career
Although Portuguese-born, Semedo opted to represent Cape Verde internationally, starting in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying stage. His debut occurred on 11 October 2008 in that competition, and he scored in a 1–3 loss in Tanzania.
Two years later, on 24 May 2010, Semedo gained his second and last cap, ironically against his birth country Portugal, coming on as a 25th-minute substitute in a goalless draw in Covilhã.
International goals
Scores and results list Cape Verde's goal tally first.Honours
Cypriot Cup: Runner-up 2010–11