Rui Duarte

Rui Duarte is a midfielder of Olhanense. He was born on 16 September 1978 in Lisbon, Portugal.

In 1997 Duarte started his professional career with Olhanense, where he played for a season netting once in 28 games. In the summer 1998 Rui was offered to join Dragões Sandinenses, where he moved in July of the same year, penning a professional contract. This season was rather successful for Rui, because he managed to earn a place in the starting XI, scoring once in 21 matches.

In 1999 Duarte sealed a deal with Belenenses. Four years with this Portuguese side can be viewed as missed for Rui because the head coach rarely employed the midfielder, who in his turn stayed on the bench the bulk of his time with Belenenses, making 30 appearances and kicking 2 goals for four years.

With the end of the 2002/2003 season some changes occurred in the footballer’s career. Naval offered him an agreement, which he signed with pleasure. It was a good decision, as Duarte was included in the starting XI where he kicked 5 goals in 31 matches for one season. In the summer 2004 Rui continued his way to the Primeira Liga, penning a contract with the top division club Leixões. The next season was also a success for the footballer because he featured in 31 games and scored 5 goals in the starting eleven.

In the summer 2005 Duarte joined Estrela Amadora on a permanent contract. In the 2005/2006 season the footballer took part in 22 games with the Portuguese outfit. After the end of the season Rui penned a contract with Olhanense, which gave him an opportunity to play in the Primeira Liga. For six years Duarte remains an important figure for the club, coming on the pitch at least in half of all the matches in each season. Since 2006 Rui has scored 20 goals in more than 130 games for Olhanense.