Rui Pires

Rui Miguel Guerra Pires (born 22 March 1998) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Cambodian Premier League club Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng.

Club career

Porto B

Rui began his journey in the acclaimed youth system of FC Porto, where he progressed through the ranks, featuring prominently in its Under-15, U17, and U19 sides. He was subsequently promoted to Porto's B side.

On 7 August 2016, Pires made his professional debut with Porto B in a 2016–17 LigaPro match against Aves.

Troyes

On 9 July 2019, Pires moved on a free transfer to Ligue 2 side Troyes. He make his debut for the club on 26 July in 2–0 win over Chamois Niort. On 26 October, Pires assisted Lenny Pintor who then went on to scored the winner in the 85th minute in a 1–0 win over Lorient. In December, he suffered anterior cruciate ligament injury ending his season prematurely. He ended up making 13 appearances in his first season.

Pires make his returned on 28 September 2020 coming on as a substitution in a 1–0 win over Clermont Foot. He won the French second-tier Ligue 2 with Troyes in the 2020–21 season where he make 19 appearances.

Paços de Ferreira

On 26 July 2021, Pires returned to Portugal and joined Paços de Ferreira on loan. His loan was made permanent after a successful loan.

During his time with Paços de Ferreira, Rui showed his capabilities on the European stage, making two appearances in the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers against Tottenham.

Lion City Sailors On 29 June 2023, it was reported by the Portuguese press that Pires had moved to Singapore to play for Lion City Sailors. He was officially announced as the new signing for the team on 14 July 2023 signing a two-year contract however, as the foreign quota for the league slot is full, Pires will be registered in the club 2023–24 AFC Champions League matches instead. On 26 July 2023, Pires make his debut for the club in a friendly match against Tottenham at the Singapore National Stadium. On 20 September 2023, Pires played his first official game for the club in the 2023–24 AFC Champions League group stage fixture against Thai club Bangkok United in a 2–1 lost.

On 18 July 2024, Pires make his league debut in a 5–0 lost to Tampines Rovers. During the 2024–25 ASEAN Club Championship against Indonesian club Borneo Samarinda, he picked up his second yellow card 35 seconds after receiving the first yellow where he saw red for the first time of his career.

Despite Maxime Lestienne's equaliser in the 91st minute of the 2025 AFC Champions League Two final against Sharjah, the Sailors finished as a runner-up after conceding in the 97th minute to finish the game in a 1–2 defeat.

On 22 September 2025, Pires scored his first career goal in a 7–0 win over Tanjong Pagar United.

Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng On 11 July 2026, Pires signed for Cambodian Premier League club Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng.

Career statistics Club

International

U20 International caps No Date Venue Opponent Result Competition 1 31 August 2017 Estádio Municipal de Abrantes, Portugal 0-3 (lost) 2017–18 Under 20 Elite League 2 4 September 2017 Sportpark Middelmors, Netherlands 0-1 (lost) 2017–18 Under 20 Elite League 3 5 October 2017 Stade des Arbères, Switzerland 1-1 (draw) 2017–18 Under 20 Elite League 4 9 November 2017 Stadion Miejsk, Poland 2-1 (won) 2017–18 Under 20 Elite League 5 22 March 2018 Estádio Municipal Sérgio Conceição, Portugal 0-1 (lost) 2017–18 Under 20 Elite League 6 27 March 2018 Academy Stadium, England 0-3 (lost) 2017–18 Under 20 Elite League

U19 International caps No Date Venue Opponent Result Competition 1 6 October 2016 Estádio Municipal de Fátima, Portugal 1-2 (lost) Friendly 2 9 October 2016 Municipal da Marinha Grande, Portugal 2-1 (won) Friendly 3 15 November 2016 Stadion Beroe, Bulgaria 2-1 (won) 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification 4 23 March 2017 Estádio da Mata Real, Portugal 2-1 (won) 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification 5 28 March 2017 Estádio da Mata Real, Portugal 3-1 (won) 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification 6 2 July 2017 Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium, Georgia 1-0 (won) 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship 7 5 July 2017 David Petriashvili Stadium, Georgia 2-1 (won) 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship 8 12 July 2017 David Petriashvili Stadium, Georgia 1-0 (won) 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship 9 15 July 2017 Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium, Georgia 1-2 (lost) 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship

Honours

Club

Troyes

Ligue 2: 2020–21

Lion City Sailors AFC Champions League Two runner-up: 2024–25 Singapore Premier League: 2024–25 Singapore Cup: 2023, 2024–25, 2025–26 Singapore Community Shield: 2024; runner-up: 2025

Individual UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2017