Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Name Pedro Monteiro | Playing position | |
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Full name Pedro Miguel Cardoso Monteiro Date of birth (1978-05-02) 2 May 1978 (age 37) | ||
Place of birth Albufeira, Portugal Current team Havant & Waterlooville | ||
Pedro Miguel Cardoso Monteiro (born 2 May 1978), commonly known as Pelé, is a Cape Verdean footballer who plays as a central defender or a defensive midfielder for English club Totton.
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Portugal
Born in Albufeira, Portugal, Pelé started playing professionally for local Imortal DC, moving to Algarve neighbours S.C. Farense after five seasons and spending one year in the Segunda Liga. He also played from 1999 to 2001 with his first club at that level.
Pelé joined C.F. Os Belenenses in 2003–04, making his Primeira Liga debut on 23 August 2003 in a 2–4 away loss against Sporting Clube de Portugal. Incidentally, the following campaign, already an important first-team element, he scored the game's only goal for the former at home against Sporting on 6 March 2005.
Southampton
Pelé signed for Southampton for an undisclosed fee – believed to be £1 million – on 19 July 2006. He had attracted the attention of Premiership sides West Ham United and Portsmouth, but decided to opt for the potential of the Football League side, where he was likely to get more games.
On 30 December 2006, Pelé scored his first competitive goal for the Saints, against Leicester City. He started 2006–07 in his natural central defensive position but was eventually moved into defensive midfield, playing alongside Jermaine Wright for most of the season, while also moving back into defence to cover for injuries to Darren Powell and Claus Lundekvam.
West Bromwich Albion
Pelé signed for West Bromwich Albion for £1 million on a two-year contract, on 9 August 2007. He made his Albion debut as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 defeat away to Burnley, on the opening day of 2007–08.
Pelé made 13 starts during the campaign, as Albion were promoted to the top flight.
Later years
Pelé was released by West Brom in the summer of 2009 following their relegation, with only three league appearances from the player. On 12 November, he joined Scottish Premiership side Falkirk as a free agent.
In August 2010, Pelé moved to Milton Keynes Dons on a non-contract deal, as cover for injured Gary MacKenzie and suspended Mathias Kouo-Doumbé. He was released by the club the following month, without any league appearances.
In January 2011, aged nearly 33, Pelé signed with Northwich Victoria of the Northern Premier League Premier Division on non-contract terms, and made his debut in a 1–0 win against Mickleover Sports. In June he put his name on the PFA's free transfer availability list, indicating that he was seeking a new club.
On 8 January 2012, Pelé left Hednesford Town and joined Conference Premier's Hayes & Yeading United nine days later. He made his debut for his new team the same evening, against Ebbsfleet United.
In July 2016, 38-year-old Pelé signed for Totton from fellow English amateurs Havant & Waterlooville.
International career
After turning down invitations in the past, Pelé accepted an invitation to play for Cape Verde, starting appearing for the nation in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification stage.