Ruca (footballer, born September 1990)


Rui Pedro Coimbra Chaves, known as Ruca, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Anadia.

Club career

Born in Tondela, Viseu District, Ruca moved to S.C. Beira-Mar's youth system at the age of 16 from local Clube de Futebol Repesenses. After winning the second-division juniors championship in 2009, he signed with Gil Vicente FC.
In his first season as a senior, Ruca was loaned to hometown's C.D. Tondela. He made his competitive debut against Amarante F.C. on 30 August 2009, in a match for the Taça de Portugal. He continued to be loaned the following years, to Vilaverdense FC, Oliveira de Frades and again Tondela.
Ruca joined yet another club in the third division in the summer of 2013, SC Mirandela. He had been previously deployed as a left winger or attacking midfielder, but switched to left-back at his new team.
On 1 July 2014, Ruca signed for C.D. Mafra as a free agent after his contract with Gil expired. Starting in all his league appearances, he contributed seven goals to help the side 2014–15 [Campeonato Nacional de Seniores|win the championship] and subsequently promote to the Segunda Liga.
Ruca agreed to a two-year deal with Vitória F.C. from the Primeira Liga, on 11 June 2015. He scored on his debut in the competition on 16 August, putting the hosts ahead 2–0 in an eventual 2–2 draw against Boavista FC.
On 30 August 2016, Ruca was linked to Cypriot club Apollon Limassol FC, but Vitória manager José Couceiro vetoed his departure due to lack of options in his position. On 30 December he left by mutual consent due to lack of playing time and, two days later, returned to Tondela.
Ruca continued to compete in the Portuguese second tier in the following seasons, representing Mafra, C.D. Feirense and F.C. Penafiel. He moved abroad again in July 2022, joining PFC Beroe Stara Zagora of the First [Professional Football League (Bulgaria)].
Ruca subsequently returned to Portugal, representing in the lower leagues Académica de Coimbra and SC [São João de Ver].

Career statistics

Honours

Vilaverdense
Mafra