Álvaro Pires

Álvaro Pires

Personal information
Full name	Álvaro Henrique Alves Pires
Date of birth	March 11, 1985 (1985-03-11)
Place of birth	Jardinópolis, Brazil
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position	Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current club	Luverdense
Number	15
Youth career
2002–2003	Internacional
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2004–2006	Internacional	13	(0)
2007–2009	Spartak Nalchik
2008	→ Los Angeles Galaxy (loan)	19	(1)
2009	→ Fortaleza Esporte Clube (loan)	1	(0)
2010–	Luverdense	8	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 26 October 2010. † Appearances (Goals).

Álvaro Henrique Alves Pires, or simply Álvaro Pires, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a defensive-midfielder, he currently plays for Luverdense Esporte Clube.

A native of Jardinópolis, Brazil (just outside of São Paulo), Pires signed his first professional contract at the age of 16 with Brazilian side Internacional and broke into the first team at the age of 19. He spent three years there, appearing in a handful of games, before signing with Russian side Spartak Nalchik, then of the Russian First Division.

Pires had been on trial with Los Angeles Galaxy during the club's pre-season, featuring in the inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship in Hawaii, and featuring on their Asian tour in China and Hong Kong. Having impressed Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit with his performances, Pires signed a full professional contract with Galaxy on March 28, 2008.[1].

He made his MLS debut in Galaxy's first match of the 2008 season against Colorado Rapids on March 29, 2008, and scored his first MLS goal on June 7, 2008 - also against Colorado.

See also

• List of current MLS players

External links

• MLS profile