Fernando Varela

Romania Varela signed a three-year contract with Romanian side FC Vaslui on 29 May 2012. On 3 September of the following year he joined FC Steaua București also from Liga I, after agreeing to a three-year deal for a €1.25 million transfer fee.

At the end of 2014–15, Málaga CF showed interest in acquiring Varela, but Steaua rejected the Spaniards' €6 million offer. He appeared in 47 matches across all competitions, in an eventual double conquest.

PAOK

On 23 July 2016, Varela, who had less than six months left on his contract, moved to the Super League Greece with PAOK FC for three years and a €1.4 million fee. He scored his first goal in the 2017–18 season on 12 February 2018, heading home in a 3–0 win against Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C. at the Toumba Stadium.

On 21 May 2019, Varela declined the club's contract renewal offer at first but went on to renew his contract eventually until 2022.

International career

Portuguese-born, Varela opted to represent Cape Verde internationally, his debut coming in 2008. On 24 May 2010, he appeared in a friendly in Covilhã with Portugal – who were preparing for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa – playing the entire match as the minnows (ranked 117th) managed a 0–0 draw.

The Blue Sharks were disqualified from the 2014 World Cup when it was revealed that Varela had played in a qualifying match against Tunisia, despite not completing a four-match suspension for a red card he had received against Equatorial Guinea on 24 March 2013. That game was later rendered invalid by FIFA as a result of Equatorial Guinea fielding ineligible Emilio Nsue, but Varela's disciplinary record stood.

Personal life Varela's son, Gustavo, is also a professional footballer.

Career statistics Club

International goals !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition

Individual Foreign Player of the Year in Romania (Gazeta Sporturilor): 2015 Super League Greece Team of the Season: 2017–18, 2018–19