Rafael Floro

Rafael da Silva Floro (born 19 January 1994) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Lithuanian club FK Panevezys as a left back.

Club Career

Born in Quarteira, Algarve, Floro played youth football with six clubs, including local CDR Quarteirense from ages 8–13. He finished his development with FC Porto and, although he was selected to some Segunda Liga matches by the B team to kickstart his senior career, he could never appear in the competition.

In summer 2013, Floro went on trial with English Football League Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, which had all of their full-backs injured, and signed a one-year contract on 6 August after impressing. That same day, he made his professional debut, being replaced midway through the second half of a 2–1 away loss against Rotherham United in the first round of the League Cup. His first league game took place on the 10th, when he played the first half of another 1–2 defeat, now at home to Burnley.

On 10 May 2015, after no further competitive appearances for the Owls, Floro was released. Shortly after, he returned to his country and joined Primeira Liga's C.F. Os Belenenses on a four-year deal. He also failed to play one single competitive match with the latter, being loaned to teams in the lower leagues.

Floro returned to the Portuguese second tier on 31 January 2017, penning a two-and-a-half-year contract with Gil Vicente F.C. after leaving Louletano DC.