Fábio China

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Agrela and the second or paternal family name is Ferreira.
Fábio China
Personal information
Full name Fábio Diogo Agrela Ferreira[1]
Date of birth (1992-07-07) 7 July 1992 (age 32)[1]
Place of birth Calheta, Portugal[1]
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10+1⁄2 in)[1]
Position(s) Left-back
Team information
Current team
 Marítimo
Number 45
Youth career
2001–2010 Prazeres
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Futsal
2011−2014 Estrela Calheta 50 (11)
2014−2015 Marítimo C 29 (0)
2015−2020 Marítimo B 42 (2)
2016– Marítimo 134 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:57, 1 October 2024 (UTC)

Fábio Diogo Agrela Ferreira (born 7 July 1992), known as Fábio China, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Liga Portugal 2 club Marítimo.

Club career

Born in Calheta, Madeira, China began playing at A.D.R. Prazeres. When the opportunity arose to move to Estrela da Calheta FC, his chairman did not authorise the transfer due to bad blood between the two clubs; he played competitive futsal until the situation was resolved.[2]

China had trialled unsuccessfully on several occasions at C.S. Marítimo, but was taken on by the C team under his former Calheta manager Nélson Gouveia, and signed a professional deal in January 2015 at age 22. He made his debut in the Primeira Liga on 15 May 2016 at the end of the season, playing the entirety of a 2–1 away loss against Moreirense F.C. under the management of Nelo Vingada.[2][3]

China missed the middle of the 2016–17 campaign due to a three-month pubalgia.[2] On 10 February 2018, he was sent off in a 3–0 defeat at Rio Ave FC.[4] In May 2021, when his contract was due to expire, it was extended for two years.[5]

In 2022–23, China played only ten times as Marítimo were relegated, with most of his appearances being as a substitute for Vítor Costa. Nonetheless, at the season's end, he was rewarded with a two-year extension.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Fábio China" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Marques, David (29 March 2017). "De homem dos sete ofícios a titular no Marítimo" [From jack of all trades to Marítimo starter] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Quatro jogadores da B chamados para o Moreirense" [Four B players called up for Moreirense]. Record (in Portuguese). 14 May 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  4. ^ Vasconcelos, Gonçalo (12 February 2018). "Período negro acentuado pelos 18 golos sofridos" [Black period marked by 18 goals conceded]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  5. ^ Rosa, Emanuel (26 May 2021). "Fábio China renova por dois anos com o Marítimo" [Fábio China renews for two years with Marítimo]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  6. ^ Freitas, Marco (12 June 2023). "Fábio China renova e parte para a nona época seguida no Marítimo" [Fábio China renews and embarks on ninth consecutive season at Marítimo]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 31 August 2023.