Luis Rafael "Rafa" Soares Alves (born 9 May 1995) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a left back for Vitoria de Guimaraes.
Club Career
Born in Marco de Canaveses, Porto District, Soares joined FC Porto's youth system in 2005 from local F.C. Alpendorada. On 21 August 2013, while still a junior, he made his professional debut with the former's B team, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute in a 1–0 away win against Portimonense S.C. for the Segunda Liga.
From January 2016 to June 2017, Soares was on loan to Academica de Coimbra and Rio Ave FC, with both clubs in the Primeira Liga. He played his first game in the competition on 22 January 2016 while at service of the former in a 2–1 away loss to Vitoria de Setubal, and scored his first goal the following matchday but in a 3–2 defeat at Sporting CP.
On 22 August 2017, deemed surplus to requirements by new Porto manager Sergio Conceicao, Soares was loaned to EFL Championship side Fulham in a season-long deal.