Bruno Varela

Vitória Setúbal On 2 July 2016, Varela left Benfica and signed with fellow top-flight side Vitória F.C. until June 2021. He made his debut in the competition on 21 August on his return to the Estádio da Luz, a 1–1 draw against the reigning champions.

Return to Benfica In July 2017, Varela agreed on a return to Benfica for a fee of around €100,000. He made his competitive debut on 5 August, starting in the 3–1 victory over Vitória S.C. in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. His first appearance in the UEFA Champions League took place on 12 September, in a 1–2 group stage home loss to PFC CSKA Moscow.

On 16 September 2017, Varela committed a blunder which resulted in a 2–1 away defeat against Boavista FC. He was quickly deemed surplus to requirements by manager Rui Vitória, with the club acquiring Mile Svilar and Odisseas Vlachodimos in the following weeks; however, after the former went down with influenza and the latter was only due to arrive in January, he was made the starter again, notably receiving Player of the match accolades in a 0–0 away draw with FC Porto.

On 26 January 2019, without a single competitive appearance, Varela was loaned to Dutch Eredivisie club AFC Ajax until the end of the season, with the option to buy. On 24 June, the move was extended for another year.

Mainly a reserve player during his tenure in Amsterdam, Varela made his competitive debut for Ajax on 22 January 2020 in the 7–0 home demolition of SV Spakenburg in the round of 16 of the KNVB Cup. His first league match occurred four days later, in a 2–1 away loss against FC Groningen.

Vitória Guimarães On 19 August 2020, Varela returned to Portugal and joined Vitória S.C. on a four-year deal. He missed the start of his second season due to a right thigh tear, during which Matouš Trmal had a run in the team. In May 2023, he signed a new contract until 2026.

Varela totalled 174 games during his tenure. This included 14 in the 2024–25 UEFA Conference League, where his side was ousted in the round of 16 by Spain's Real Betis.

Al-Hazem On 26 August 2025, Varela signed for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hazem F.C. on a two-year contract.

International career Portugal Varela represented Portugal at the 2013 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, being a backup to José Sá in the latter tournament. He was also part of the under-20 squad at the 2014 Toulon Tournament, starting in an eventual third-place finish.

Varela again played understudy to Sá during the 2015 European Under-21 Championship, failing to appear for the runners-up. He was first choice during the 2016 Summer Olympics competition, in an eventual quarter-final run.

On 21 March 2017, Varela received his first call-up to the Portugal senior side, replacing the injured Anthony Lopes for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Hungary and a friendly with Sweden to be held later that month. In October 2020, he replaced the same player after he tested had positive for COVID-19.

Cape Verde On 4 October 2023, Varela received a call-up to the Cape Verde national team for friendlies against Algeria and Comoros. He won his first cap eight days later, in a 5–1 away loss to the former; he rejected to be selected for the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals, however, on the grounds that he had not taken part in the qualification campaign.

Career statistics +Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2012–13 Segunda Liga

2013–14 Segunda Liga

2014–15 Segunda Liga

Valladolid (loan) 2015–16 Segunda División

Vitória Setúbal 2016–17 Primeira Liga

2017–18 Primeira Liga

2018–19 Primeira Liga

29!!0!!2!!0!!1!!0!!2!!0!!1!!0!!35!!0

2018–19 Eredivisie

2019–20 Eredivisie

1!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!3!!0 Jong Ajax (loan) 2019–20 Eerste Divisie 2 0

2 0

2020–21 Primeira Liga 31 0 2 0 0 0

33 0 2021–22 Primeira Liga 25 0 2 0 2 0

29 0 2022–23 Primeira Liga 27 0 0 0 1 0 4 0

32 0 2023–24 Primeira Liga 27 0 1 0 1 0 2

International UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2015