Érico Henrique Esteves de Sousa (born 12 March 1995) is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League South club Boreham Wood.[2]

Érico Sousa
Personal information
Full name Érico Henrique Esteves de Sousa[1]
Date of birth (1995-03-12) 12 March 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth Vale da Amoreira, Moita, Portugal
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Boreham Wood
Number 19
Youth career
–2011 Manchester City
2011–2014 Barnsley
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2015 Hyde United 14 (1)
2015–2016 Celje 30 (2)
2017 Tadcaster Albion 3 (1)
2017 Accrington Stanley 0 (0)
2017 Tranmere Rovers 4 (0)
2017–2020 Accrington Stanley 10 (0)
2018Barrow (loan) 4 (1)
2020 Tadcaster Albion 1 (1)
2020–2021 Darlington 9 (4)
2021–2022 Grimsby Town 33 (2)
2022– Boreham Wood 74 (13)
International career
2014 Portugal U19 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:29, 27 October 2024 (UTC)

He came through the youth ranks at Manchester City and Barnsley and played in the Football League for Accrington Stanley and in the Slovenian PrvaLiga for Celje. He also played non-league football for Hyde United, Tadcaster Albion, Tranmere Rovers, Barrow, Darlington and Grimsby Town.

He is a former Portugal U19 international, having received one cap in 2014.

Career

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Early life and career

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Born in Vale da Amoreira, Moita, Portugal, Sousa moved to England when he was 10.[3][4] He started his career at Manchester City, joining them when he was 15.[3] After leaving Manchester City, Sousa joined Barnsley at the academy.[3] After progressing through the ranks of the club's academy, Sousa was released by Barnsley on 7 May 2014.[5]

After leaving Barnsley, Sousa joined Hyde United. During his time at Hyde United, Sousa made 14 appearances and scoring once for the side.[4]

NK Celje

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After leaving Hyde United, Sousa moved to Slovenia, joining Celje on 4 August 2015, signing a three-year contract.[6][4]

On 7 August 2015, Sousa made his professional debut with Celje in a Slovenian PrvaLiga match against Gorica, scoring in a 3-2 loss.[7] He then played a vital role when he set up four goals in three matches between 2 December 2015 and 12 December 2015, including twice against ND Gorica, in which they drew 2-2.[8] He then scored his second goal for the club on 19 March 2016, in a 2-1 loss against NK Domžale.[9] He established himself in the first team at Celje and went on to make a total of 29 appearances and scoring once in his first season.

However, in the 2016-17 season, Sousa made no appearances for the club and left the club in August 2016.[10] After leaving NK Celje, Sousa enjoyed his time at the club, quoting: "It's a bit different. Language was a bit of a struggle but I started getting used to it and learned a few words myself."[11]

Tadcaster Albion

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After leaving NK Celje, Sousa returned to England, where he joined Reading on trial, featuring in the club's U23 Development League fixture against Derby County on 26 September.[12]

Sousa remained a free agent until he joined Tadcaster Albion on 6 January 2017.[13] He made three appearances and scoring once against Goole on 30 January 2017.[14]

Accrington Stanley

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On February 13, 2017, he signed a deal to join Accrington Stanley until the end of the season. This marked Sousas’ return to the English Football League after playing in the Slovenian top flight with NK Celje in 2016.[15]

However, Sousa made no appearances for the side and was released from Accrington Stanley on March 21, 2017 following complications regarding registering him as a player.[16]

Tranmere Rovers

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He signed a new contract with National League side Tranmere Rovers, after manager Micky Mellon was impressed with his ability in the training sessions he had with the club.[16][17]

After missing out four matches, Sousa did not make his Tranmere Rovers debut, coming on as a late second-half substitute, in a 9-0 win over Solihull Moors on 8 April 2017.[18] After making four appearances at the end of the 2016-17 season, Sousa was released by the club.[19]

Return to Accrington Stanley

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After leaving Tranmere Rovers at the end of the 2016–17 season, Sousa re-joined Accrington Stanley for the second time on 27 June 2017, signing a one-year contract.[20]

Sousa made his second debut for the club in a 3-2 win over Middlesbrough's U21 on 19 September 2017 in the EFL Trophy.[21] He scored his first goal in a 2-1 loss against Blackpool in the EFL Trophy.[22] On 7 November, he scored twice in a 4-0 win away to Wigan Athletic U23s, also in the EFL Trophy.[23] Sousa continued to struggle in the first team, as well as his own injury concern.[24]

Accrington exercised a contractual option at the end of the 2017–18 season to retain him.[25]

On 8 October Sousa joined Barrow on a short-term loan.[26]

On 24 June 2020 it was announced that Sousa would be leaving Accrington Stanley when his contract expired.[27]

Darlington

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Sousa made a brief return to Tadcaster Albion,[28][29] before joining National League North club Darlington on 28 October 2020.[30] He scored four goals from nine National League North appearances before the season was ended early because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and also contributed three goals in five FA Trophy matches,[2][31] finishing overall top scorer with 7 goals from 14 games.[32]

Grimsby Town

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On 22 June 2021, Sousa joined National League side Grimsby Town, on a one-year contract.[33]

Sousa played in the 2022 National League play-off final as Grimsby beat Solihull Moors 2–1 at the London Stadium to return to the Football League.[34]

On 11 June 2022, the club announced their retained list ahead of the 2022–23 season and confirmed that Sousa would be among those released when his contract expires on 30 June.[35]

Boreham Wood

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On 26 July 2022, Sousa signed for Boreham Wood.[36]

Following Wood's relegation, Sousa departed the club on a free transfer at the end of the 2023–24 season.[37] Despite initially being released Boreham Wood announced on 28/06/2024 that Sousa had re-signed for the club ahead of the 2024-25 season[38]

International career

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In March 2014, Sousa represented Portugal U19, making his debut in 1-0 win over Qatar U19.[39]

Honours

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Grimsby Town

References

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  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Accrington Stanley" (PDF). English Football League. p. 1. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Érico Sousa". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Erico Sousa – Accrington Stanley". Accrington Stanley F.C. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  4. ^ a b c "Celjani s Portugalcem v svojih vrstah" (in Slovenian). EkipaSN. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Barnsley FC Retained List". barnsleyfc.co.uk. Barnsley F.C. 7 May 2014. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Érico Sousa vai jogar na Eslovénia" (in Portuguese). O Jogo. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Celje še naprej bleda senca" (in Slovenian). EkipaSN. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  8. ^ "CELJE - GORICA: V knežje mesto okrnjeni" (in Slovenian). EkipaSN. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Po dolgem času poraz Celjanov" (in Slovenian). EkipaSN. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  10. ^ "PRED TEKMO: LUKA KOPER - CELJE" (in Slovenian). Prva Liga Website. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  11. ^ "New Stanley signing Erico Sousa says he'll work hard to earn a starting spot". Lancashire Telegraph. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  12. ^ "Reading FC transfers: Portuguese midfielder arrives for Royals trial". getreading.co.uk. Get Reading. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  13. ^ "Tadcaster sign left-winger Sousa". Non League Yorkshire. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
    "BREAKING NEWS: Electric Erico Joins The Brewers". Tadcaster Albion A.F.C. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  14. ^ "Tadcaster Albion suffer again - despite new faces". York Press. 8 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
    "Tadcaster win at home at last". Non League Yorkshire. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  15. ^ "Portugal winger flies in". Accrington Stanley Official Site. 13 February 2017. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
    "Winger Leaves Taddy for Stanley". Non-League Pitchero. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  16. ^ a b "Erico Sousa: Tranmere Rovers sign Portuguese winger from Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 22 March 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  17. ^ "Tranmere Rovers sign Portuguese winger Érico Sousa". Liverpool Echo. 22 March 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  18. ^ "Tranmere 1-0 Braintree full-time report - Rovers survive scare to maintain promotion push". Liverpool Echo. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
    "Tranmere 9-0 Solihull Moors - Relentless Rovers run riot in hunt for promotion". Liverpool Echo. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  19. ^ "Rovers Offer Contracts". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 17 May 2017. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  20. ^ "Sousa signs up". Accrington Stanley F.C. 27 June 2017. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  21. ^ "Stanley 3 Boro U21 2". Accrington Stanley F.C. 9 September 2017. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  22. ^ "Accrington Stanley's Trophy hopes are kept in Check as Max Clayton nets a late winner for Blackpool". Lancashire Telegraph. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  23. ^ "Wigan 0 Stanley 4". Accrington Stanley F.C. 7 November 2017. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  24. ^ Geldard, Suzanne (29 December 2017). "Accrington Stanley captain Conneely doubtful for Grimsby game". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
    "Sousa looks to build on goal". Accrington Stanley F.C. 4 October 2017. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  25. ^ "Accrington Stanley: Scott Brown and Aaron Chapman offered new deals". BBC Sport. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  26. ^ "Sousa joins Barrow". Accrington Stanley F.C. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  27. ^ "Retained list". Accrington Stanley F.C. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  28. ^ Grayson, James (8 October 2020). "Sousa returns to Tadcaster". Non League Yorkshire. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  29. ^ "Erico Sousa 2020/21 season". Tadcaster Albion F.C. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  30. ^ Simpson, Ray (28 October 2020). "Quakers sign winger Erico Sousa". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  31. ^ Williams, Adam (19 February 2021). "National League North and South seasons null and void: 'It's a bit of a nightmare'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  32. ^ "Erico Sousa".
  33. ^ "Erico Sousa announced as Grimsby Town's sixth summer signing". Grimsbylive. 22 June 2021.
  34. ^ "Grimsby Town player ratings as McAtee and four others star in Solihull comeback". Grimsbylive. 5 June 2022.
  35. ^ "Mariners Retained List Announced - Grimsby Town Football Club". 11 June 2022.
  36. ^ "Welcome, Erico Sousa!". 26 July 2022.
  37. ^ "WOOD ANNOUNCE RETAINED LIST". www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  38. ^ "erico is back". www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  39. ^ "'Chunky' Lewis gets Three Lions call-up". Barnsley Chronicle. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
    "Erico In International Action". Barnsley F.C. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
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  NODES
INTERN 5
Note 1