Jardel (footballer, born 1986)

Jardel

Jardel playing for Benfica in 2014
Personal information
Full name	Jardel Nivaldo Vieira
Date of birth	(1986-03-29) 29 March 1986 (age 30)
Place of birth	Florianópolis, Brazil
Height	1.92 m (6 ft 3 1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Centre-back
Club information
Current team	Benfica
Number	33
Youth career
2002–2004	Avaí
2005	Vitória
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2004	Avaí	0	(0)
2005	Vitória	12	(0)
2006	Santos	0	(0)
2007	Iraty
2007	→ Avaí (loan)	?	(1)
2008–2010	Desportivo Brasil	0	(0)
2008	→ Joinville (loan)
2009	→ Ituano (loan)	0	(0)
2009–2010	→ Estoril (loan)	28	(2)
2010–2011	Olhanense	16	(1)
2011–	Benfica	102	(7)
2012–	Benfica B	7	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 9 September 2016.

Jardel Nivaldo Vieira (born 29 March 1986), known simply as Jardel, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Portuguese club Benfica.

Born in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Jardel was an Avaí Futebol Clube youth graduate. Signing his first professional contract at the age of only 16, being promoted to the first team.

In March 2005 Jardel joined Esporte Clube Vitória, winning the year's Campeonato Baiano while at the club. After suffering relegation from Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, he signed for Santos FC on 15 January 2006.

Jardel left Peixe in December 2006, after making no appearances and struggling severely with injuries. He subsequently represented Iraty Sport Club, Avaí, Joinville Esporte Clube, Ituano Futebol Clube and Desportivo Brasil before moving abroad.

In 2009 Jardel moved to Portugal, where he would remain in the following years. He played one season with G.D. Estoril Praia in the second division where he only missed two league games, then signed with S.C. Olhanense in the top level.