Fernando Horácio Ávalos

Fernando Horacio Ávalos (born 31 March 1978) is an Argentine former footballer who played as a central defender.

He spent most of his professional career in Portugal, amassing Primeira Liga totals of 187 matches and three goals over the course of eight seasons, mainly in representation of Nacional (four years). He also had spells in five other countries, his own notwithstanding. Many people knew him as the captain of União da Madeira.

Club career Born in Posadas, Misiones Province, Ávalos started his professional career with Club Atlético Nueva Chicago then moved, in his country, to Club Atlético Huracán and Club Social, Deportivo y Cultural Español. His first abroad experience arrived in 2000, with Brazil's Sport Club Corinthians Paulista.

After splitting the 2000–01 season with Corinthians and FC Basel, Ávalos found stability in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, playing two years with Boavista F.C. and four and a half at Madeira's C.D. Nacional. He appeared in two UEFA Cup editions with the latter.

In January 2008, Ávalos moved to Germany with MSV Duisburg, not being able to help his new team prevent relegation from the Bundesliga. Released in December he returned to Portugal to sign with C.F. Os Belenenses, where he met the same fate; at the end of the campaign he moved to Cyprus, with Nea Salamis Famagusta FC.

Aged 32, Ávalos returned to Portugal and the Madeira island, signing with lowly A.D. Camacha. For 2011–12 he stayed in the region, joining second level's C.F. União and being a defensive stalwart for several years.

In January 2014, Ávalos moved clubs and countries again, penning a one-year contract with Angola's F.C. Bravos do Maquis.