Rafael Schmitz

Rafael Schmitz
Personal information
Date of birthDecember 17, 1980
Place of birthBlumenau, Brazil
Height1.82 m (5 ft 11 12 in)[1]
Playing positionDefender
Youth career
2000–2001Malutrom
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2001–2008Lille99(2)
2004→ Krylya Sovetov Samara (loan)9(0)
2007–2008Birmingham City (loan)15(0)
2008–2012Valenciennes46(2)
2012–2013Atlético-PR
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of June 30, 2012.
† Appearances (Goals).

Rafael Schmitz (born December 17, 1980) is a Brazilian footballer. Schmitz, born in Blumenau, is a commanding central defender who is good in the air but also very agile and has good passing ability.

Schmitz spent six seasons with Lille OSC, for whom he played 99 Ligue 1 games and appeared in the Champions League and UEFA Cup.[1] He joined Birmingham City on loan for the 2007–08 season on July 6, 2007.[2] He made his Birmingham debut as a very late substitute on September 15, 2007 against Bolton Wanderers, and his first start on October 20, 2007 against Manchester City in place of the injured Johan Djourou. He returned to Lille following Birmingham's relegation at the end of the season.

On June 23, 2008, Schmitz signed a three-year contract with Valenciennes.[3]

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Rafael Schmitz". L'Équipe. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
  2. "Birmingham seal Schmitz loan deal". BBC Sport. 2007-07-06. Retrieved 2007-07-06.
  3. "Rafael : "Grandir avec Valenciennes"" (in French). Valenciennes FC. 2008-06-23. Retrieved 2008-06-26.

External links