Ricardo Batista

Ricardo Jorge Cecilia Batista (born 19 November 1986) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.

Club Career

Fulham

Born in Setubal, Batista started his career with Vitoria F.C. in his hometown. In late 2004, aged only 18, he was signed by English Premier League club Fulham. His only senior appearance for them was on 21 September 2005 in the second round of the League Cup against Lincoln City: his team won 5–4, but BBC Sport's match reporter dubbed his performance "disappointing".

Batista spent the second half of 2005–06 on loan to Milton Keynes Dons, making 9 League Two appearances. For most of the following season he was on loan to League One club Wycombe Wanderers. He made 35 appearances in all competitions and helped them reach the League Cup semi-final, in which they held Chelsea to a draw in the first leg before losing the second 4–0.

In July 2007, Batista extended his contract at Craven Cottage to run until 2009.

Portugal

On 16 July 2008, Batista signed with Sporting CP for a fee of €158,000. He was only third-choice during his two-year spell with the Lisbon club, his input consisting of the match against F.C. Pacos de Ferreira for the 2008–09 edition of the Taca da Liga (5–1 home win).

Batista was loaned to S.C. Olhanense for the 2010–11 campaign, initially backing up Marcelo Moretto and playing in the domestic cups. After the Brazilian left for Poland he became first-choice, as the Algarve team eventually retained their Primeira Liga status; his first match in the competition occurred on 19 December 2010, in a 0–0 home draw to C.D. Nacional.

On 25 July 2011, Batista was banned for two years for doping, after testing positive in a game against Academica de Coimbra held in January.