José Taira

José Américo Taira Costa Pereira (born 18 November 1968), known as Taira, is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

Club career Born in Lisbon, Taira was released by C.F. Os Belenenses manager Henri Depireux in 1987, but after two good years at C.D. Montijo in the Segunda Liga he returned to his hometown club. He was part of the sides that were relegated from the Primeira Liga in 1991 and promoted back a year later.

Taira was signed for C.F. Estrela da Amadora in the summer of 1994 by coach João Alves, who was dismissed before the start of the campaign. He played only seven matches under his successor Acácio Casimiro, and then returned to Belenenses a year later, now managed by Alves; in his only season back at the Estádio do Restelo, the side finished sixth.

Personal life Taira's son, Afonso, was also a footballer and a midfielder.