Ricardo Vaz Tê

Ricardo Vaz Tê

Vaz Tê warming-up for West Ham United, February 2012
Personal information
Full name Ricardo Jorge Vaz Tê
Date of birth (1986-10-01) 1 October 1986
Place of birth Lisbon, Portugal
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current team
 Akhisar Belediyespor
Number 9
Youth career
2002–2003 SC Farense
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2010 Bolton Wanderers 58 (3)
2007 → Hull City (loan) 6 (0)
2010–2011 Panionios 8 (1)
2011 Hibernian 10 (1)
2011–2012 Barnsley 22 (10)
2012–2015 West Ham United 51 (15)
2015 Akhisar Belediyespor 14 (5)
2015–2016 Charlton Athletic 11 (0)
2016– Akhisar Belediyespor 16 (2)
National team
2003 Portugal U17 2 (0)
2004–2005 Portugal U19 6 (4)
2005–2006 Portugal U20 9 (6)
2006–2007 Portugal U21 19 (4)
2008 Portugal U23 2 (2)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 27 June 2016.


Ricardo Jorge Vaz Tê (born 1 October 1986) is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a forward for Akhisar Belediyespor.

Vaz Tê has previously played for English clubs Bolton Wanderers, Hull City, Barnsley and West Ham United, Greek club Panionios, Scottish Premier League club Hibernian and Turkish side Akhisar Belediyespor.

Early life

Vaz Tê was born in Lisbon, but moved a year later to live with his father in Guinea-Bissau, where he remained until he was 11 years old.[1] He returned to Portugal and received professional coaching at SC Farense.[1] Vaz Tê played youth football with his local club Real Massama, a team which also included Manchester United winger Nani. Nani went to play for Sporting CP while Vaz Tê left for England to play for Bolton Wanderers. They also represented the Portugal Under-21s and have remained close friends.[2]

Club career

Bolton Wanderers

Vaz Tê went on trial with Bolton Wanderers in 2003 and he was signed on a three-year youth academy contract.[1] He made such an impression at youth level that Vaz Tê quickly found himself part of the Bolton first-team squad. He made his debut in their FA Cup tie with Tranmere Rovers in January 2004. Just over two months later, he made his Premier League debut in a 2–0 defeat at Middlesbrough. He made his first full start in the game with Manchester United at Old Trafford in December 2004.[3]

In 2005–06, Vaz Tê was again involved in first-team action, starting 7 games and coming on as a substitute in another 22. He scored 6 goals in all competitions, one of which a late equaliser shortly after coming on as a substitute on 24 November 2005, at Vitória de Guimarães. In March 2007, Vaz Tê joined Hull City on a month's loan from Bolton.[4]

He had an unlucky beginning to the 2007–08 season, damaging his ligaments on the opening day. He only appeared in one more game throughout that season, a 0–1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Cup in which Bolton Manager Gary Megson played mostly a reserve team. In August 2008, there was confusion regarding the player, when it was widely reported that he had signed for Racing de Santander on loan as part of a swap deal that would see fellow striker Euzebiusz Smolarek go the other way. However, although Smolarek did join Bolton, the Portuguese striker also remained at the club. He made only two appearances in the 2008–09 season and none in the 2009–10 season, as he required four operations on his right knee and one on his left knee.[3] On 11 May 2010, Vaz Tê was released by Bolton Wanderers.[5][6]

Panionios

On 30 June 2010 it was reported that Vaz Tê had signed a three-year deal with Greek Super League club Panionios.[7] In December 2010, after less than six months in Greece, it was announced that Vaz Tê and Panionios had come to an agreement to mutually terminate his contract.[6] Panionios had suffered financial problems, which meant that Vaz Tê went four months without receiving any pay.[3]

Hibernian

Vaz Tê went on trial with Scottish Premier League club Hibernian in February 2011[6] and manager Colin Calderwood stated that both parties were in discussions about a contract.[8] The signing was confirmed on 28 February.[9] Vaz Tê made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against St Johnstone on 5 March as a substitute.[10] He scored one goal for Hibs, in an Edinburgh derby against Hearts.[11] His contract was not renewed at the end of the season.[12] Vaz Tê later said that he had played for Hibs for "no money", but had chosen to go there due to the "visibility" of Scottish football in neighbouring England.[3]

Barnsley

Vaz Tê went on trial with Football League Championship club Barnsley in July 2011,[13] every other Championship club having rejected that opportunity.[3] He impressed the club management and scored a goal in a friendly against Grimsby Town.[13] On 3 August 2011 he agreed a contract with Barnsley until the end of the 2011–12 season.[13] He scored his first goal for Barnsley in a 2–0 win against Burnley on 18 October 2011. Vaz Tê scored his fifth Barnsley goal on 6 December 2011 against Crystal Palace after only 8.5 seconds, the fastest goal in Barnsley history. He scored again later in the game to give Barnsley a 2–1 win.[14] On 31 December, Vaz Tê scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 win against Leeds United, after coming on as a substitute.[15] Sky Sports reported on 1 January 2012 that Vaz Tê had rejected Barnsley's offer of a new contract.[16] He scored both of the Barnsley goals in a 4–2 defeat against Swansea City in an FA Cup third round tie.[17]

West Ham United

Vaz Tê signed for then Championship club West Ham United on 31 January 2012, for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half year deal with an option for a third year.[18] Vaz Tê made his debut for the club, coming on as an 89th-minute substitute for Carlton Cole in the London derby against Millwall on 4 February. The game finished 2–1 to West Ham United.[19] On 21 February 2012, Vaz Tê scored his first goal for the Hammers, in a 4–1 victory at Blackpool.[20] Nicky Maynard and Gary O'Neil also scored their first professional goals for the club.[20] Vaz Tê scored his first hat-trick for West Ham on 14 April 2012, in West Ham United's 6–0 home victory against Brighton & Hove Albion.[21] West Ham finished 3rd behind Southampton entering the play-offs against Cardiff City. They won the first leg at the Cardiff City Stadium 2–0 and the second leg 3–0 at the Upton Park, with Vaz Tê scoring the second goal of the second game. West Ham progressed to the play-off final with a 5–0 aggregate victory. In the play-off final at Wembley on 19 May 2012, Vaz Tê scored the winning goal in the 87th minute.[22] It was the 24th goal Vaz Tê had scored in the 2011–12 season.[3]

He was in the starting line-up from the beginning of the 2012–13 season scoring his first Premier League goal for West Ham in their 2–1 away win at QPR on 1 October 2012.[23] In the very next game, on 6 October 2012 at home to Arsenal, Vaz Tê dislocated his shoulder, an injury which kept him out of the team for nearly 3 months.[24] Vaz Tê returned to the side on 29 December in an away game at Reading, he was brought on with 23 minutes remaining and his side down 1–0 and went on to miss a glaring opportunity to draw the match, as West Ham lost.[25] Sam Allardyce said it was one of the greatest ever chances to score in the Premier League and the Portuguese striker agreed, and apologised to the Hammers fans.[26]

He started the 2013–14 season as a 90th-minute substitute, replacing Joe Cole, in a 2–0 home win against Cardiff City.[27] He scored his first goal of the season in a League Cup second round fixture against Cheltenham Town on 27 August 2013, when he scored the opening goal from a free-kick in 42nd minute of the match, which ended a 2–1 win for West Ham.[28] He later received a Goal of the Month club award for that goal.[29] After the Cheltenham win, on 28 August 2013, Vaz Tê handed in a transfer request. His statement regarding this said, "The statistics are evident to all but, despite this, it has been made obvious to myself and my representatives that I am not in the manager's plans. Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that I submit a transfer request and look to join a club where my approach to the game will be appreciated."[30] He has remained at West Ham for at least until the winter transfer period and has committed himself to the club.[31] Following his transfer request Vaz Te played four games in September 2013, scoring once and three games in October scoring twice, in games against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. These proved to be his last goals for the club.[32] In his next game, on 27 October 2013, he dislocated his shoulder against Swansea City.[33] He did not return to the first team until 15 April 2014 when he played 12 minutes against Arsenal in a 1–3 defeat.[34]

In the 2014–15 season he was rarely picked by manager Sam Allardyce making only four league appearances and one in the League Cup.[35] His last game came on 22 November 2014 in a 2–1 away defeat to Everton and on 17 January 2015, his contract was terminated by the club.[35][36]

Akhisar Belediyespor

On 18 January 2015, Vaz Tê joined Turkish Süper Lig side Akhisar Belediyespor on a six-month contract.[37] He played just 14 games, in Turkey, scoring on five occasions.

Charlton Athletic

On 13 November 2015, Vaz Tê signed for Charlton Athletic on a free transfer until the end of the season.[38] However, he was released from his contract in February 2016.[39]

International career

In the summer of 2005, Vaz Tê took part in the annual Toulon tournament scoring a hat-trick for Portugal U-20s, in their game with South Korea. He then played regularly for the Portugal under-21 team. Vaz Tê could still play for Guinea-Bissau, as he has not yet been selected by Portugal.

Career statistics

As of 3 April 2016[40]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Bolton Wanderers 2003–04 102000000030
2004–05 702100000091
2005–06 22341214100326
2006–07 25030200000300
Hull City (loan) 2006–07 600000000060
Total 600000000060
Bolton Wanderers 2007–08 100000100020
2008–09 200000000020
Total 583112415100787
Panionios 2010–11 810000000081
Total 810000000081
Hibernian 2010–11 10100000000101
Total 10100000000101
Barnsley 2011–12 2210121000002412
Total 2210121000002412
West Ham United 2011–12 1510000000321812
2012–13 24320200000283
2013–14 8200220000104
2014–15 400010000050
Total 5115205200326119
Akhisar Belediyespor 2014–15 14500000000145
Total 14500000000145
Charlton Athletic 2015–16 11010000000120
Total 11010000000120
Akhisar Belediyespor 2015–16 9220000000112
Total 9220000000112
Career Totals 15730144103513218940

Honours

West Ham United

References

  1. 1 2 3 Schweitzer Thompson, Alex (13 April 2011). "After bursting onto scene as a kid, Vaz Te feels ready to fulfil potential at Hibs". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  2. ↑ Law, Gareth (17 July 2011). "St Johnstone 1 Hibernian 1". The Scottish Sun. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hytner, David (4 January 2013). "Ricardo Vaz Tê: whatever the obstacles, if healthy I'd tear them down". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  4. ↑ "Hull sign Bolton striker on loan". BBC Sport. 2007-03-09. Retrieved 2007-03-09.
  5. ↑ "Bolton Wanderers to move for Elliott (From The Bolton News)". Theboltonnews.co.uk. 2010-05-11. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  6. 1 2 3 "Hibs take forward Vaz Te on trial". The Scotsman. 23 February 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
  7. ↑ "Coyle closing in on Real deal (From The Bolton News)". Theboltonnews.co.uk. 2010-06-30. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  8. ↑ "Hibernian hope to sign Ricardo Vaz Te". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 February 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  9. ↑ "New Striker Signs". www.hibernianfc.co.uk. Hibernian FC. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  10. ↑ "St Johnstone 1 - 1 Hibernian". BBC Sport. 5 March 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
  11. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (3 April 2011). "Hibernian 2 - 2 Hearts". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  12. ↑ Bean, Graham (17 June 2011). "Ricardo Vaz Te and Jakub Divis exit Hibs as Colin Calderwood eyes forwards". The Scotsman. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  13. 1 2 3 "Tykes take Vaz Te". Sky Sports. British Sky Broadcasting. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  14. ↑ "Barnsley 2 - 1 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  15. ↑ "Barnsley 4 - 1 Leeds". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  16. ↑ O'Rourke, Pete (1 January 2012). "Vaz Te rejects Tykes deal". Sky Sports. BSkyB. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  17. ↑ "Barnsley 2 - 4 Swansea". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  18. ↑ "Big Sam reunited with Vaz Te". West Ham United F.C. 31 January 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  19. ↑ "West Ham United 2-1 Millwall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  20. 1 2 "Blackpool 1-4 West Ham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  21. ↑ "West Ham 6–0 Brighton". BBC Sport. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  22. ↑ Gibbs, Thom (19 May 2012). "Blackpool v West Ham United: live". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  23. ↑ "QPR 1-2 West Ham United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  24. ↑ "West Ham United 1-3 Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  25. ↑ "Pavel Pogrebnyak goal gives Reading morale-boosting win over West Ham". The Guardian. 29 December 2012.
  26. ↑ "Vaz Te holds hands up after missing sitter at Reading as West Ham slip to defeat". Daily Mail. 30 December 2012.
  27. ↑ West Ham United 2–0 Cardiff City FT Archived 8 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. whufc.com. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  28. ↑ West Ham United 2–1 Cheltenham FT Archived 19 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. whufc.com. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  29. ↑ Vaz takes Goal of the Month prize whufc.com. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  30. ↑ "Ricardo Vaz Tê puts in transfer request at West Ham United". The Guardian. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  31. ↑ The Big Interview - Ricardo Vaz Te whufc.com. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  32. ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Vaz Te in season 2013-14". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  33. ↑ "West Ham's Vaz Te dislocates shoulder". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  34. ↑ "Arsenal 3-1 West Ham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  35. 1 2 "Games played by Ricardo Vaz Te in season 2014-15". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  36. ↑ "West Ham terminate Ricardo Vaz Te's contract". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  37. ↑ "Yeni Transferlerimiz Custodio ve Vaz Te ile Sözleşme İmzaladık" (in Turkish). Akhisar Belediyespor. 18 January 2015. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  38. ↑ "Addicks snap up Ricardo Vaz Te on free transfer". Charlton Athletic. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  39. ↑ "Charlton Athletic release Franck Moussa and Ricardo Vaz Te". BBC. Retrieved 1 February. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  40. ↑ Ricardo Vaz Tê career statistics at Soccerbase
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