Jose Fonte

Jose Miguel da Rocha Fonte ComM (born 22 December 1983) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Ligue 1 club Lille and the Portugal national team.

Fonte started his professional career with Sporting CP B, moving to England with Crystal Palace in 2007. He signed for Southampton in 2010, where he made 288 appearances in all competitions, until he joined West Ham United in January 2017. He then represented Dalian Yifang in China and Lille in France, winning the Ligue 1 title with the latter in the 2020–21 season.

A Portuguese international since age 30, Fonte was part of the squad at two UEFA European Championship and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, winning UEFA Euro 2016.

Club Career

Portugal

Born in Penafiel, Fonte finished his football education (after already having played there from ages 10 to 13) at Sporting CP. He only appeared with Sporting CP B as a senior, in the third division. He signed with Salgueiros in 2004, but the club was in severe financial difficulties and was liquidated shortly thereafter; as a result, he terminated his contract and transferred to Felgueiras in the Segunda Liga.

In the 2005 off-season, Fonte made his Primeira Liga debut with Vitoria de Setubal, where his performances attracted the eye of Benfica, who signed him in January 2006. He was immediately loaned out to fellow league team Pacos de Ferreira. He finished the season with 26 league appearances and 1 goal, during a 2–2 away draw against Penafiel in which he also scored two in his own net– as both Pacos and Setubal managed to retain their status.

Fonte spent the 2006–07 season on loan to Estrela da Amadora, still in the top division, only missing five league games as the Lisbon-based club finished in ninth position.

Crystal Palace

In July 2007, Fonte moved on loan to Crystal Palace in England, being introduced in the team's starting line-up after a run of injuries. The move was made permanent at the end of the

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