Rui Fonte

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Rui Fonte is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a forward. He was born on 23 April 1990 in Penafiel, Portugal.

Early life and career
- Rui Fonte joined Sporting CP’s youth system and was later signed by Arsenal at age 16. He played mainly for Arsenal’s reserves and made one competitive appearance for the first team in a League Cup match in 2008.

Club career highlights
- Crystal Palace (loan, 2009): He moved on loan to Crystal Palace in early 2009, with his brother José Fonte helping persuade the move. The loan was extended, but Arsenal did not renew his contract in 2009, and Rui Fonte returned to Sporting CP.
- Vitória de Setúbal and Espanyol (2009–2011): He spent the 2009–10 season on loan at Vitória de Setúbal in Portugal, and then moved to Espanyol on loan, later joining Espanyol permanently in 2011.
- Espanyol to Benfica (2013): In January 2013 he signed with S.L. Benfica on a five-and-a-half-year deal, initially playing for Benfica B after a knee injury.
- Benfica and Braga loans (2014–2016): He was promoted to Benfica’s first team in 2015, then had loan spells at C.F. Os Belenenses and S.C. Braga. In 2016 he joined Braga on a permanent deal, impressing with 11 league goals in the 2016–17 season and helping Braga to a strong league finish.
- Fulham (2017–2019): In August 2017 he moved to Fulham on a three-year contract and scored in his second league appearance.
- Lille (loan, 2018–2019): He spent the 2018–19 season on loan at Lille in France, scoring once in Ligue 1.
- Braga and Estoril (2019–2021): He returned to Braga on a three-year contract in 2019, but spent much of the 2020–21 season sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury.
- Estoril, Famalicão, and Paços de Ferreira (2021–2025): He signed with Estoril Praia for the 2021–22 season, then played for F.C. Famalicão and later F.C. Paços de Ferreira.

International career
- Rui Fonte represented Portugal at youth levels from under-16 to under-21, earning 69 caps and scoring 26 goals. He was called up to the senior Portugal squad in 2015 but did not play in the match.

Personal life
- His older brother, José Fonte, is a defender who played mainly in England. Their father, Artur, played 12 seasons in Portugal’s top division. The brothers were teammates at Sporting’s youth teams, Crystal Palace, and Lille.

Honours
- Benfica: Taça da Liga (2014–15)
- Braga: Taça de Portugal (2015–16) and Taça da Liga (2019–20)
- Fulham: EFL Championship play-offs (2018)
- Portugal U21: Lusofonia Games silver medal (2009)

Rui Fonte is known for hisjourney through multiple European clubs and his time with Portugal’s youth teams, highlighted by key cup successes with Braga and Benfica.