Wesley Moraes Ferreira da Silva (born 24 November 1996), known as Wesley or Wesley Moraes, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a centre forward for Segunda Division club Levante, on loan from Premier League club Aston Villa.
He began his career at Brazilian side Itabuna before moving to Trencin in the Slovak Super Liga and subsequently Club Brugge where he won two league titles and was named Belgian Young Professional Footballer of the Year in 2018. He made his international debut for Brazil in November 2019.
Club Career
Youth career and Itabuna
As a youngster Moraes played futsal around his hometown of Juiz de Fora. Moving to football, he represented both Associacao Esportiva Uberabinha and Sport Club Juiz de Fora for different periods. In 2013, he also spent three months at Atletico Mineiro, but was released; in that year, he also played for Tupi.
Having joined local side Itabuna at eighteen, Wesley played semi-professionally in the state level Campeonato Baiano in 2014, but stayed at the club for just three months. He later went on trial with European clubs including a lengthy six-month trial at Atletico Madrid's academy side where he played in tournaments in Bilbao and Croatia, and later a three-month trial at AS Nancy; neither club offered him a professional contract. Wesley also trialled with then Ligue 2 side Evian.
Trencin
Wesley joined AS Trencin of the Slovak Super Liga in July 2015, who had become aware of him after his trials in Europe. On 14 July 2015, he played for Trencin against FCSB in the second round of qualification of the 2015–2016 Champions League. He scored twice for Trencin in the return match against FCSB, helping his side to a 3–2 win but the club did not proceed to the next round.
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