21 Facts About Helder Postiga

Helder Manuel Marques Postiga OIH is a Portuguese retired professional footballer who played as a striker.

Helder Postiga played in six foreign countries, most notably in Spain where he totalled 27 goals in 99 La Liga matches for three teams.

Portuguese international since 2003, Postiga represented the country in two World Cups and three European Championships, helping the nation reach the final at Euro 2004.

Helder Postiga then returned to Porto in a deal that sent Pedro Mendes to Tottenham in exchange, with the striker being valued at €7.

In 2005, after a promising pre-season, Helder Postiga was demoted to the club's B-team, because new coach Co Adriaanse was not happy with his performances.

Related searches

In mid-January 2008, after having again fallen out of favour, Helder Postiga moved to Panathinaikos FC for a six-month loan period.

On 1 June 2008, it was announced that Helder Postiga had made a shock move to Portuguese rivals Sporting CP, signing a three-year contract for a reported transfer fee of €2.

On 31 August 2011, the last day of the summer transfer window, Helder Postiga left Sporting, signing for Real Zaragoza in La Liga for €1 million.

Helder Postiga finished the season as club top scorer, in an eventual narrow escape from relegation.

Helder Postiga netted a career-best 14 goals during the campaign, but his team was relegated.

On 1 September 2014, Helder Postiga terminated his link with the Che, and subsequently signed a one-year deal with fellow league team Deportivo.

Helder Postiga spent the better part of the season injured, as Depor went on to narrowly avoid relegation.

On 29 July 2015, Helder Postiga signed as the marquee player of Indian Super League franchise Atletico de Kolkata; at 32, he was the youngest such player in the competition, and was deemed by the management to be less injury-prone than his predecessor Luis Garcia.

On 1 February 2016, Helder Postiga returned to his homeland, signing for top flight team Rio Ave FC until the end of the season.

On 12 August 2016, Helder Postiga returned to Atletico Kolkata as their marquee player.

Helder Postiga returned to the team as they went on to win the championship, although he was substituted in the final.

Helder Postiga made his debut for the Portugal national team on 12 February 2003 in a friendly match with Italy, where he came on as a substitute for Tiago Mendes in the 70th minute – this game was Luiz Felipe Scolari's first as manager.

On 4 June 2011, Helder Postiga scored the only goal in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Norway played at Estadio da Luz, which made him the tenth highest scorer in Portugal's history.

Helder Postiga scored six goals in the qualification campaign for the 2014 World Cup.

Childhood fan of S L Benfica who went on to play for their two main rivals, Postiga grew up in the Caxinas fishing neighbourhood in Vila do Conde, as did his long-time international teammates Bruno Alves and Fabio Coentrao.

Helder Postiga's younger brother, Jose, is a footballer and a forward.