Bio

Fernando José Ribeiro Alexandre (born 2 August 1985) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Académica de Coimbra mainly as a defensive midfielder. Football career Born in Lourinhã, Lisbon, Alexandre started his professional career with S.L. Benfica, but could never amass any official appearances for the first team. From 2004 to 2006 he played with the club's B-side (soon to be extinct) and in the second division, with capital neighbours C.D. Olivais e Moscavide. After one season in the third level with C.D. Mafra – also in the region – Alexandre moved to C.F. Estrela da Amadora, again in the capital but now in the top flight. He was an essential figure in midfield, as the club finished in a comfortable mid-table position in spite of serious financial difficulties. In late June 2009, after Estrela was relegated off-court, Alexandre moved to S.C. Braga in a free transfer. He still participated in one league match with the Minho team, playing 25 minutes in a 2–1 win at Sporting Clube de Portugal but, just hours before the August transfer window closed, was sent on loan to fellow top-divisioner Leixões Sport Club, remaining in that predicament for the following two years but with S.C. Olhanense.