Luís Rafael "Rafa" Soares Alves (born 9 May 1995) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Primeira Liga club Estrela da Amadora.
Club career Porto Born in Marco de Canaveses, Porto District, Soares joined FC Porto's youth system in 2005 from local F.C. Alpendorada. On 21 August 2013, while still a junior, he made his professional debut with the former's reserves, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute in a 1–0 away win against Portimonense S.C. in the Segunda Liga.
From January 2016 to June 2017, Soares was on loan to Académica de Coimbra and Rio Ave FC, with both clubs in the Primeira Liga. He played his first game in the competition on 22 January 2016 while at service of the former in a 2–1 away loss to Vitória de Setúbal, and scored his first goal the following matchday but in a 3–2 defeat at Sporting CP.
On 22 August 2017, deemed surplus to requirements by new Porto manager Sérgio Conceição, Soares was loaned to EFL Championship side Fulham in a season-long deal. He made his debut on 31 October, coming from the bench in a 0–2 home loss to Bristol City.
Soares' deal was mutually terminated by on 31 January 2018, after they had loaned Matt Targett earlier that month. The same day, he signed a permanent contract with Portimonense in his country's top flight.
Vitória Guimarães On 6 July 2018, Soares agreed to a contract at Vitória de Guimarães. On 31 January 2020, he joined SD Eibar of Spain's La Liga on an 18-month loan with the option to buy.
After returning from the relegated Basque team, Soares scored his first Vitória goal on 21 November 2021, as a substitute in a 3–2 defeat at neighbours Moreirense F.C. in the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal.
PAOK In June 2022, Soares signed a three-year deal with Super League Greece club PAOK FC. He totalled 33 games in his first season, finishing runner-up in the domestic cup.
Soares scored his first league goal on 25 November 2023, closing the 5–0 home win over Panserraikos FC. He added another in a 3–0 victory against PAS Lamia 1964, claiming the national championship alongside his compatriots André Ricardo and Vieirinha.
Later career On 2 September 2024, Soares agreed to a two-year contract at F.C. Famalicão. He made 28 appearances in his debut campaign, but lost his place to Angolan international Pedro Bondo midway through 2025–26 only to regain it again.
Soares signed a two-year deal with fellow top-division side C.F. Estrela da Amadora on 22 July 2026.
International career Soares earned 72 caps for Portugal at youth level. He made his debut for the under-21 side on 13 November 2014, in a 3–1 friendly defeat against England.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPorto B2013–14Segunda Liga111———1112014–15302———3022015–16205———205Total618———618Académica (loan)2015–16Primeira Liga151———151Rio Ave (loan)2016–17Primeira Liga323—3020373Fulham (loan)2017–18Championship30———30Portimonense2017–18Primeira Liga110———110Vitória Guimarães2018–19Primeira Liga2702010—3002019–201001010501702021–223012120—342Total671514050812Eibar (loan)2019–20La Liga60———602020–2119030——220Total25030——280PAOK2022–23Super League Greece26050—203302023–2412240—50212Total38290—70542Career Total252153717014031016
Honours Porto B LigaPro: 2015–16
PAOK Super League Greece: 2023–24
References
External links