Alefe Santos
{{short description|Brazilian footballer (born 1995)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2016}}
{{Portuguese name|Santos|D'Abadia}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Alefe Santos
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|3|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = São Paulo, Brazil{{ENFA}}
| position = Midfielder, Winger
| currentclub = Shaftesbury
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Stoke City
| youthyears2 = 2011–2013
| youthclubs2 = Bristol Rovers
| years1 = 2012–2014
| clubs1 = Bristol Rovers
| caps1 = 29
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2014–2017
| clubs2 = Derby County
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2015
| clubs3 = → Notts County (loan)
| caps3 = 3
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2016
| clubs4 = → Eastleigh (loan)
| caps4 = 4
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2017–2019
| clubs5 = Yeovil Town
| caps5 = 31
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2019–2020
| clubs6 = Aldershot Town
| caps6 = 25
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2020–2021
| clubs7 = Weymouth
| caps7 = 6
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2021–2023
| clubs8 = Chippenham Town
| caps8 = 67
| goals8 = 7
| years9 = 2023
| clubs9 = Poole Town
| caps9 = 6
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2023–2024
| clubs10 = Gloucester City
| caps10 = 16
| goals10 = 1
| years11 = 2024
| clubs11 = Tiverton Town
| caps11 = 6
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2024
| clubs12 = Poole Town
| caps12 = 10
| goals12 = 1
| years13 = 2024–2025
| clubs13 = Hungerford Town
| caps13 = 22
| goals13 = 2
| years14 = 2025–
| clubs14 = Shaftesbury
| caps14 = 5
| goals14 = 2
| club-update = 23:26, 15 March 2025 (UTC)
}}
Alefein "Alefe" Santos D'Abadia (born 1 March 1995) is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a winger for Shaftesbury.
Early life
Santos was born in São Paulo before moving to England when he was 12 years old.{{cite news|title=Rams move to complete the signing of 19-year-old winger.|url=http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/derby-county-move-to-sign-promising-youngster-alefe-santos-1708719.aspx|publisher=Derby County F.C.|date=1 July 2014}}
“My parents told me I would have a better chance here in the UK, and better opportunities to achieve my dream to become a professional footballer,” Santos said about his transition from Brazil to England."{{Cite web|url=https://worldfootballindex.com/2019/11/alefe-santos-brazilian-aldershot-town-sao-paulo/|title=Alefe Santos: From the Streets of Sao Paulo to Aldershot Town|date=4 November 2019}}
Career
=Bristol Rovers=
Santos began his career at Stoke City{{cite news|title=Alefe Santos: Bristol Rovers winger receives opposition praise|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24708369|work=BBC Sport|date=28 October 2013}} as a schoolboy before joining Bristol Rovers on a two-year scholarship in the summer of 2011. The next season, he made his professional debut whilst still considered a youth player on 20 November 2012, in a 4–0 defeat to Port Vale in Football League Two, coming on as a substitute for Fabian Broghammer after 60 minutes.{{cite web| url=http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/article/port-vale-match-report-498939.aspx| publisher=Bristol Rovers F.C| title=DISAPPOINTING DEFEAT FOR ROVERS|accessdate=6 December 2012}}
He signed his professional contract with the club on 23 April 2013. Santos became a regular player in the Bristol Rovers first team in the 2013–14 season, playing 27 matches, including 23 in the league, but his team were relegated to the Football Conference. On 12 October 2013, he scored his only goal for Bristol Rovers, in a 1–1 league draw with Mansfield Town at Field Mill; he came on for Andy Bond after 72 minutes and scored the equaliser 12 minutes later.{{cite news|title=Mansfield 1–1 Bristol Rovers|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24408269|accessdate=1 July 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=12 October 2013}}
=Derby County=
He signed a two-year contract with the option of a third year at Derby County on 1 July 2014 after turning down a new contract with Bristol Rovers. He had previously been in discussions with Premier League club Hull City.{{cite news|title=Alefe Santos: Hull set to sign Bristol Rovers youngster|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28087130|accessdate=1 July 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=30 June 2014}} Santos made his Derby debut on 26 August, replacing Johnny Russell for the last 20 minutes of a 1–0 League Cup victory over Charlton Athletic.{{cite news|title=Derby 1–0 Charlton|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28847759|accessdate=26 August 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=26 August 2014}}
==Notts County (loan)==
Having not made another appearance since his debut, on 9 January 2015 Santos went on a one-month loan to League One club Notts County,{{cite news|title=Alefe Santos: Notts County sign Derby County winger|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30746185|accessdate=9 January 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=9 January 2015}} and made a total of 3 appearances.
==Eastleigh (loan)==
On 10 November 2016, National League side Eastleigh announced that they had reached an agreement with Derby to sign Santos on a short-term loan until 2 January 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.eastleighfc.com/2016/11/10/alefe-joins-the-spitfires/|title=Alefe Joins The Spitfires {{!}} Eastleigh FC|date=10 November 2016|website=www.eastleighfc.com|publisher=Eastleigh F.C.|access-date=15 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116101408/http://www.eastleighfc.com/2016/11/10/alefe-joins-the-spitfires/|archive-date=16 November 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} His loan was cut short after just 28 days, when Derby exercised their right to call him back from Eastleigh.
=Yeovil Town=
On 25 July 2017, following a successful trial period, Santos signed for League Two club Yeovil Town signing a two-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40704687 |title=Alefe Santos: Yeovil Town sign winger after Derby County exit |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 July 2017 |accessdate=26 July 2017 }} At the end of the 2018–19 season, Santos was released by Yeovil following the club's relegation from the Football League.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48284648 |title=Yeovil Town: Glovers release nine players after relegation from Football League |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2019 |accessdate=15 May 2019 }}
=Non-League=
On 5 July 2019, Santos agreed to join National League side, Aldershot Town on a one-year deal.{{Cite news |title=Aldershot sign winger Alefe Santos |url=http://nonleaguedaily.com/aldershot-sign-winger-alefe-santos/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705151424/http://nonleaguedaily.com/aldershot-sign-winger-alefe-santos/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=5 July 2019 |publisher=Non League Daily |date=5 July 2019 |accessdate=13 July 2019}}
On 31 August 2020, Santos signed for newly-promoted National League side Weymouth.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52590019 |title=National League News - May-August 2020 (31 August 2020) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2020 |accessdate=31 August 2020}} Santos left the club at the end of the season after making just eight appearances in all competitions.{{cite web|url=https://uptheterras.co.uk/2021/06/01/five-depart-the-terras/#|title=Five depart the Terras|website=uptheterras.co.uk|date=1 June 2021|accessdate=1 June 2021}}
On 21 June 2021, Santos joined National League South side Chippenham Town.{{cite web|url=https://www.chippenhamtownfootballclub-ltd.co.uk/news/ctfc-squad-update-2625200.html|title=CTFC SQUAD UPDATE|website=www.chippenhamtownfootballclub-ltd.co.uk|date=21 June 2021}} Santos signed on for a second season in June 2022 following a record league finish for the club and defeat in the play-offs.{{cite web|url=https://chippenhamtown.com/player-preparations-for-season-2022-23/|title=Player preparations for season 2022/23|website=chippenhamtown.com|date=14 June 2022|accessdate=18 June 2022}}
On 22 June 2023, Santos signed for Southern League Premier Division South club Poole Town. Santos made his debut against Hendon coming on as a second half substitute for Luke Nippard.{{cite tweet|number=1671816549756182529|title=The Club is delighted to announce the signing of @alfiesantos7 for the 2023/24 season 🇧🇷🐬✍️|user=PooleTownFC|author-link=Poole Town F.C.|date=22 June 2023|accessdate=22 June 2023}}
On 16 October 2023, Santos joined National League North club Gloucester City following his departure from Poole Town.{{cite web|url=https://www.gloucestercityafc.com/post/city-sign-brazilian-santos|title=City sign Brazilian Santos|website=www.gloucestercityafc.com|date=16 October 2023|accessdate=17 October 2023}} In January 2024, he joined Tiverton Town, before returning to Poole Town in March of the same year.{{cite web|url=https://www.tivertontownfc.co.uk/post/alefe-wings-in|title=Alefe Wings In|website=www.tivertontownfc.co.uk|date=26 January 2024|accessdate=16 March 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pooletownfc.co.uk/news/alefe-santos-returns|title=Alefe Santos returns|website=www.pooletownfc.co.uk|date=15 March 2024|accessdate=16 March 2024}}
Playing style
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 8 March 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Bristol Rovers
|2012–13{{soccerbase season|68396|2012|accessdate=15 July 2017 }} |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2013–14{{soccerbase season|68396|2013|accessdate=15 July 2017 }}
|League Two |23 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in Football League Trophy}} | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!24 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 1 | |
| rowspan="4"|Derby County
|2014–15{{soccerbase season|68396|2014|accessdate=15 July 2017 }} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16{{soccerbase season|68396|2015|accessdate=15 July 2017 }}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17{{soccerbase season|68396|2016|accessdate=15 July 2017 }}
|Championship |0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| colspan=2|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| Notts County (loan)
|3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||||
| Eastleigh (loan)
|4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Yeovil Town
|2017–18{{soccerbase season|68396|2017|accessdate=5 May 2018 }} |League Two |14 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 24 | 0 | |
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|68396|2018|accessdate=4 August 2018 }}
|League Two |17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!31 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 43 | 0 | |
| Aldershot Town
|2019–20{{soccerbase season|68396|2019|accessdate=5 May 2018 }} |National League |25 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=FAT|Appearance in FA Trophy}} | 0 | 27 | 2 | ||
| Weymouth
|2020–21{{cite web |title=A. Santos: Summary |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/alfie-santos/277759/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |accessdate=28 February 2022}} |National League |6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=FAT}} | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||
| rowspan=3|Chippenham Town
|35 | 5 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in Wiltshire Premier Shield and two appearances in National League South play-offs}} | 0 | 41 | 5 | ||
| 2022–23
|National League South |32 | 2 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=FAT}} | 0 | 37 | 2 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!67||7||6||0||colspan="2"|—||5||0||78||7 | ||||||||||
| Poole Town
|2023–24{{cite web |url=https://www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com/player/alefe-santos/25200 |title=Alefe Santos {{!}} Player Profile |work=Aylesbury United Archive |access-date=17 October 2023 }} |Southern League |6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Gloucester City
|16 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | |||
| Tiverton Town
|Southern League |6 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||
| Poole Town
|Southern League |10 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 1 | ||||
| Hungerford Town
|Southern League |22 | 2 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in Berks & Bucks Senior Cup}} | 0 | 27 | 2 | ||
| Shaftesbury
|Southern League |5 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 2 | ||||
| colspan=3|Career total
!225 | 16 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 266 | 16 |
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Santos, Alefe}}
Category:Footballers from São Paulo
Category:Brazilian men's footballers
Category:Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Brazilian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players
Category:Derby County F.C. players
Category:Notts County F.C. players
Category:Eastleigh F.C. players
Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players
Category:Aldershot Town F.C. players
Category:Weymouth F.C. players
Category:Chippenham Town F.C. players
Category:Poole Town F.C. players
Category:Gloucester City A.F.C. players
Category:Tiverton Town F.C. players
Category:Hungerford Town F.C. players
Category:Shaftesbury F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Southern Football League players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England