Anderson Cruz

Anderson Emanuel Castelo Branco Cruz (born 9 April 1996) is an Angolan professional footballer who plays as a winger for Primeira Liga club Rio Ave and the Angola national team.

Club Career

Born in Luanda, Cruz moved to Lisboa at the age of four and finished his formation with Varzim S.C. He made his senior debut with the reserves in the 2015–16 season.

On 2 February 2016, Cruz signed for Tercera Division side Verin CF, on loan from Ourense CF. He returned to his parent club for the 2016–17 campaign, scoring ten goals and achieving promotion to the fourth level.

On 26 August 2017 Cruz moved to Segunda Division B side Rapido de Bouzas, still owned by Ourense. The following 18 January, he signed a four-year contract with La Liga side Deportivo Alaves, being immediately loaned to parent club NK Rudes until the end of the season.

Cruz made his professional debut on 11 February 2018, starting in a 2–2 away draw against NK Lokomotiva. Five days later he scored his first professional goal, as he netted the first in a 2–0 home win against NK Inter Zapresic.

On 25 May 2018, Cruz was loaned to Ligue 2 side FC Sochaux-Montbeliard until the end of the 2018–19 season. On 27 July of the following year, he moved to Segunda Division side CF Fuenlabrada also in a temporary deal.

On 1 September 2020, Cruz signed for Liga Nacional de Futbol Profesional side Club Bolivar. He made four Copa Libertadores and four Copa Sudamericana appearances for the Bolivian side.

On 28 January 2021, Cruz returned to Portugal and signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Rio Ave.