Vítor Manuel Lima Santos (born 10 August 1981) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Club career Early years Aged 19, Guimarães-born Lima left his country and joined UD Salamanca in Spain. He would never appear officially for the first team, also being loaned to modest Zamora CF, and left the Castile and León club in 2001.
In the following four seasons, Lima played in the Portuguese third division with Clube Caçadores das Taipas – three years – and Académico de Viseu FC.
Falkirk On 15 June 2005, free agent Lima signed for Falkirk alongside compatriot Tiago Jonas, being discovered by the team's player-coach Russell Latapy who had spent several seasons in Portugal as a player.Falkirk move for Portuguese pair; BBC Sport, 15 June 2005 He made his Scottish Premier League debut on 6 August, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 away win against Livingston.Livingston 0–2 Falkirk; BBC Sport, 6 August 2005
On 28 April 2006, Lima extended his contract with the Bairns for a further season.Midfield duo extend Bairns stay; BBC Sport, 28 April 2006 He left the club in summer 2007 after making 42 competitive appearances (30 starts), hoping to "return to Portugal".Lima latest to depart from Bairns; BBC Sport, 6 June 2007
Greece, return to Scotland Lima joined Greek second tier club Ethnikos Piraeus F.C. in June 2007. He often started during his tenure.
On 30 July 2009, Lima returned to Falkirk on a one-year deal.Lima completes return to Falkirk; BBC Sport, 30 July 2009 He missed several games during the campaign due to a knee injury,Vitor Lima injury fears allayed at Falkirk; BBC Sport, 25 March 2010 with the side eventually being relegated from the top flight after ranking 12th and last, following which he was released.Falkirk release eight players after relegation; BBC Sport, 13 May 2010
Later career Lima return to Greece and its division two for 2010–11, helping Doxa Drama F.C. to promote to the Super League. In the 2012 off-season he moved to neighbouring Cyprus, signing with Ethnikos Achna FC.
On 12 July 2013, Lima moved to Iraklis F.C. of the Greek second division. On 7 June of the following year he was supposed to sign for another team in the country, Agrotikos Asteras FC, but the deal eventually fell through.
Lima retired in July 2018 at the age of 37 after four seasons with F.C. Famalicão (where he often acted as captain), the last three spent in the Portuguese second tier. He immediately joined their coaching staff.
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