Duda

Sergio Paulo Barbosa Valente (born 27 June 1980), known as Duda (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈduðɐ]), is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a left winger.

He was mostly known for his set pieces and crossing ability, and spent his entire professional career in Spain, collecting more than 300 official appearances for four clubs. He represented mainly Malaga and Sevilla, amassing La Liga totals of 343 matches and 35 goals.

The recipient of 18 caps, Duda appeared for Portugal at the 2010 World Cup.

Club Career

Having grown through the ranks of Vitoria de Guimaraes, Porto-born Duda had not yet played one single competitive senior game when he was sold to Cadiz CF in the third level of Spanish football. For the 2001–02 season he switched to La Liga with Malaga CF and, after a loan move to Segunda Division with Levante UD, was everpresent in a team that achieved two consecutive 10th-place finishes, also appearing in the UEFA Cup via the Intertoto.

In 2005–06, involved in a contract dispute, Duda featured scarcely as Malaga was relegated and, during the summer, he joined Andalusia neighbours Sevilla FC. Incidentally, his arrival coincided with the emergence of another left-footed player, Antonio Puerta (whom played as either left back or midfielder); after Puerta's sudden death the following campaign he also played backup, to Diego Capel.

With Capel firmly established as first-choice, Duda was loaned for 2008–09 to an old acquaintance, Malaga, in August 2008. During the season, he was an instrumental attacking element as the side narrowly missed on Europa League qualification, with compatriot Eliseu often playing in the other wing.

In late August 2009, after intense negotiations, Duda moved permanently to Malaga on a four-year contract, with Sevilla benefitting from a percentage of any future sale.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Дуда (russian)