Paulo Soares (born 1 December 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bulgarian Second Professional Football League club Sportist Svoge.[1] Born in the United States, he is a Cape Verde international.[2]

Paulo Soares
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-12-01) 1 December 1999 (age 24)
Place of birth Sal, Cape Verde
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Sportist Svoge
Number 7
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2021 Quinnipiac Bobcats
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022 Rochester New York FC 10 (0)
2024 Dobrudzha 7 (0)
2024- Sportist Svoge 2 (0)
International career
2019 Cape Verde U19 2 (0)
2022– Cape Verde 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 August 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19:57, 14 January 2024 (UTC)

Early life

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Born in the United States, Soares returned to Cape Verde as a child with his family, before returning again to the United States, where he captained the soccer team at Quincy High School in Quincy, Massachusetts.[3][4] In Cape Verde, Soares had been scouted by Italian and Portuguese teams but his family prioritized his education, thus the decision to send him back to the United States instead.[5]

Career

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College career

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Soares played college soccer for the Quinnipiac Bobcats and made the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) All-Rookie team.[6] During the 2021 season, he made the All-MAAC team and the MAAC All-Academic team.[7] He also captained the Quinnipiac Bobcats.[8]

Club career

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Before the 2022 season, Soares signed for American side Rochester New York FC.[9]

On 13 January 2024, Soares joined Bulgarian second division club Dobrudzha.[10]

International career

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Soares played for the Cape Verde national under-15, under-16, and under-19 teams, and has captained the national under-19 team.[11] He debuted for Cape Verde during a 1–0 loss to Ecuador.[12]

Style of play

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Soares can operate as a center midfielder and a defensive midfielder and is known for his work ethic.[13]

Personal life

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His father is a civil engineer.[5]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 8 August 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Rochester New York 2022 MLS Next Pro 10 0 1[a] 0 0 0 11 0
Dobrudzha 2023-24 Second League 7 0 7 0
Sportist Svoge 2024-25 Second League 2 0 2 0
Career Total 19 0 1 0 0 0 20 0
  1. ^ Appearances in U.S. Open Cup

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year
National Team Year Apps Goals
Cape Verde 2022 1 0
Total 1 0

References

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  1. ^ "Saiba como um atleta se mantém saudável para competir em alto". metropoles.com.
  2. ^ "Paulo Soares Joins Cape Verde National Team". bvmsports.com.
  3. ^ "The Paulo Project: Soares Rises From Quinnipiac to MLS Next Pro League".
  4. ^ "Quincy rallies at home". patriotledger.com.
  5. ^ a b "Soares hopes to leave Quinnipiac legacy with soccer title". nhregister.com.
  6. ^ "How Quinnipiac men's soccer prepared for its spring season after a 482-day break".
  7. ^ "Quinnipiac men's soccer charging out of the gates after last season's MAAC championship loss".
  8. ^ "Manhattan's Harwood and Quinnipiac's Soares Named Hercules Tires MAAC Student-Athletes of the Week".
  9. ^ "Paulo Soares é reforço do Rochester New York FC do MLS Next Pro nos Estados Unidos". criolosports.com.
  10. ^ "Done deal!". D360 Sports Management. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Quatro estreantes na convocatória de Bubista". criolosports.com.
  12. ^ "Cabo Verde faz sábado nos EUA amistoso com adversário "mundialista"". inforpress.cv.
  13. ^ "How the men's soccer team can get back on track after falling out of the MAAC tournament picture".
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