André Pinto

André Pinto is a Portuguese defender, born on 5 October 1989 in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.

Pinto started his youth career in 1999, when he entered the academy of Porto. During five years the footballer was trained at this football academy where he also played for different youth teams of his age. In 2004 he was sent on loan to the youth team of Padroense for one season. Having returned to the academy of Porto, André was its product for three more years. In 2008 he finally prepared to start his professional career.

In 2007 André penned his first professional deal with Porto. However instead of joining the first team of the Lisbon club, the footballer was sent on loan. Pinto spent the 2008/2009 season with Santa Clara, where he played 27 games and kicked 3 goals.

In the summer 2009 André was loaned to Vitória de Setúbal, where he spent a season. During that period Pinto enjoyed the confidence of the head coach who included him in the starting eleven in 22 matches where the defender netted 1 goal.

In the summer 2010 the situation repeated and Pinto signed a loan contract with Portimonense. During his one-year spell with the temporary team the footballer made 27 appearances and scored 2 goals. In the 2011/2012 season the defender was loaned to Olhanense which plays in the Primeira Liga as well as Porto. During the season Pinto often got into the starting line-up playing more than 20 games. In 2012 the footballer moved to the Greek club Panathinaikos but at the beginning of 2014 returned to Portugal joining Sporting Braga.

From 2004 to 2010 André Pinto was capped 40 times for the Portugal U-16, U-17, U-19 and U-21 national football teams and scored 1 goal. In 2011 he was first called up to the senior side.