Rafael Schmitz

Rafael Schmitz

Personal information
Date of birth	December 17, 1980 (1980-12-17)
Place of birth	Blumenau, Brazil
Height	1.82 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Defender
Youth career
2000–2001	Malutrom
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2001–2008	Lille	99	(2)
2004	→ Krylya Sovetov Samara (loan)	9	(0)
2007–2008	→ Birmingham City (loan)	15	(0)
2008–2012	Valenciennes	44	(2)
2012–	Atlético-PR
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 April 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

Rafael Schmitz (born December 17, 1980) is a Brazilian footballer who is currently playing for Clube Atlético Paranaense. Schmitz, born in Blumenau, is a commanding central defender who is good in the air but also very agile and has good passing ability.

Schmitz spent six seasons with Lille OSC, for whom he played 99 Ligue 1 games and appeared in the Champions League and UEFA Cup. He joined Birmingham City on loan for the 2007–08 season on July 6, 2007. He made his Birmingham debut as a very late substitute on September 15, 2007 against Bolton Wanderers, and his first start on October 20, 2007 against Manchester City in place of the injured Johan Djourou. He returned to Lille following Birmingham's relegation at the end of the season.

On June 23, 2008, Schmitz signed a three-year contract with Valenciennes FC.

External links

• Rafael Schmitz career stats at Soccerbase
• Rafael Schmitz profile – L'Equipe.fr