Marco Paixao

Marco Filipe Lopes Paixao (born 19 September 1984) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Turkish club Altay.

Club Career

Early career

Born in Sesimbra, Setubal District, Paixao spent his early career in Portugal and Spain, playing with lowly teams in both countries – his hometown's G.D. Sesimbra, FC Porto B,CD Guijuelo, Logrones CF and Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa.

In 2007–08, he suffered relegation from Segunda Division B with Logrones, and in the following season scored 13 goals for Leonesa.

Hamilton Academical

Paixao's first taste of professional football came in 2009 as he signed for Scottish Premier League club Hamilton Academical on 6 August, alongside twin brother Flavio. He made his league debut late in the month, against Aberdeen.

On 11 April 2011, it was announced that Paixao would leave at the end of the campaign. However, just three days later, he was released from his contract with immediate effect, alongside his sibling. He appeared in 56 official matches for the Accies, scoring six goals.

Naft Tehran

On 5 January 2012, Paixao joined his brother in Iran after signing with Naft Tehran F.C. until the end of the season. He made his debut in a 1–3 home loss against Foolad F.C. five days later, scoring his first goal in a 1–0 win over Malavan F.C. on 8 February.

Ethnikos and Poland

In the summer of 2012, Paixao joined Cypriot side Ethnikos Achna FC. He netted his first goal for his new club on 3 November, in a 1–1 draw at AEL Limassol.

In June 2013, Paixao signed a two-year contract with Slask Wroclaw in Poland. He scored a career-best 21 goals in 2013–14, but his team could only qualify for the relegation play-offs.

In June 2015, Paixao put pen to paper to a two-year deal at AC Sparta Prague. The following January, after being barely used by the Czech club, he returned to the Ekstraklasa with Lechia Gdansk after agree