Daniel Candeias retires at 38 after 25-year career and 580 games | OneFootball

Daniel Candeias has retired at 38, ending a 25-year professional career that brought 580 appearances across clubs in Portugal and abroad, including Porto and Benfica.

He confirmed the decision on social media. The player said in a post that a life spent pursuing the dream of being a footballer had been an honour and he thanked the game.

Candeias came through Porto's academy at Olival and reached the first team, making 10 appearances. He then played for Varzim, Rio Ave, Paços de Ferreira, Portimonense and Nacional before joining Benfica in 2014.

His time at Benfica brought no official appearances, as he was loaned to Nuremberg, Granada, Metz and Alanyaspor.

After leaving Benfica, he continued abroad with Rangers, Gençlerbirligi, Kocaelispor and Adanaspor.

He later returned to Portugal with Oliveirense in the II Liga, before finishing at Académica de Coimbra. Last season he played 26 games for the Coimbra side in Liga 3.

Source: Glorioso 1904

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