Afonso Taira
Afonso Miguel Castro Vilhena Taira (born 17 June 1992) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Casa Pia A.C. as a defensive midfielder. Club career. Born in Cascais, Lisbon, Taira joined Sporting CP's youth system in 2006 (aged 14) from neighbouring G.D. Estoril Praia. He made his professional debut in 2011 with Córdoba CF in the Spanish Segunda División, signing a three-year contract but making only three competitive appearances during his only season in Andalusia. In 2012–13, Taira returned to his country after being loaned to Atlético Clube de Portugal of the Segunda Liga. The  move was extended for the following campaign. Taira returned to former youth club Estoril on 8 June 2014, after agreeing to a four-year deal. He played 13 Primeira Liga matches in his first year, in an eventual 12th-place finish. Taira scored his first Portuguese top-flight goal on 24 October 2015, in a 2–2 home draw against Rio Ave FC. On 19 July 2017, he signed with Israeli Premier League team Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona FC, and a year later Beitar Jerusalem F.C. in the same competition. After spending the 2019–20 season in the Romanian Liga I with  FC Hermannstadt, Taira joined Belenenses SAD on a two-year contract. Personal life. Taira's father, José, was also a footballer and a midfielder. He appeared in more than 100 games in the Portuguese top tier, and also spent six years in Spain, representing mainly UD Salamanca.