Raphael Rossi Branco

Raphael Branco

Branco with Swindon Town in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Raphael Rossi Branco
Date of birth	(1990-07-25) 25 July 1990 (age 26)
Place of birth	Campinas, Brazil
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current team	Swindon Town
Number	29
Youth career
2000–2005	Guarani
2006	Paulínia
2007–2008	Corinthians
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008	Cruzeiro
2009	Vitória
2010–2011	Porto Alegre	10	(2)
2011–2012	Brighton & Hove Albion	0	(0)
2013	Whitehawk	29	(3)
2013–	Swindon Town	114	(6)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22 April 2017 (UTC).

Raphael Rossi Branco (born 25 July 1990), sometimes known as Raphael or Rapha Branco, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a defender for English club Swindon Town.

Born in Campinas, São Paulo, Branco debuted professionally for Porto Alegre and was spotted by an agent who was friend of Gus Poyet, then Brighton & Hove Albion manager. He went on a trial for the English club and an offer to sign for the team was stalled until the player could get an Italian passport. After that, Brighton demanded a statement from Branco's former youth clubs in which they would not receive future compensation, otherwise the club would have to pay £200,000 to register him, which meant he would be released.

After unsuccessful trials in Europe and Brazil, he went to play again in England for Brighton-based club Whitehawk. Since he was signing for a non-professional club, he did not need any agreement with his former clubs and could move to other clubs for free. With Whitehawk, Branco won the 2012–13 Isthmian League.

On 2 August 2013, he joined Swindon Town on a one year-deal after impressing on a pre-season trip to Portugal after being invited by a former Brighton & Hove Albion assistant. He was first called up for a matchday squad on 31 August, remaining unused as Swindon won 5–0 at the County Ground in a League One game against Crewe Alexandra. He made his debut on 8 October in the second round of the Football League Trophy, playing the entirety of a 2–1 victory over League Two team Plymouth Argyle. On 29 December he made his first league appearance, replacing the injured Grant Hall in the 53rd minute of a 1–1 draw away to Bradford City. He was given his first league start on 14 January 2014, playing the full 90 minutes of a 0–2 loss away to Stevenage. In total he played 18 matches over his first season, 15 of which were in the league.