Charles (footballer, born 1984)

Charles Dias de Oliveira (born 4 April 1984), known simply as Charles, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a striker.

He spent most of his career in Spain, representing clubs in La Liga, Segunda División and Segunda División B after starting out at Pontevedra. In the top flight, he achieved figures of 208 games and 57 goals over seven seasons.

Club career
Born in Belém, Pará, Charles started playing football with Santos FC, then completed his development with Tuna Luso Brasileira still in his country and C.D. Feirense in Portugal. He started his senior career with the latter club, competing in both the second and third divisions.

In the summer of 2004, Charles moved to Spain, signing with Pontevedra CF in the Segunda División. He made his league debut on 28 August in a 0–1 home loss against Polideportivo Ejido, being sent off after only three minutes on the pitch.

Charles spent the following five seasons with the Galicians in the Segunda División B. In his last he led them to the promotion playoffs after scoring 15 goals in the regular season, but they eventually fell short.

In early July 2010, Charles signed for second-tier Córdoba CF as a free agent. He again netted 15 times in his first campaign, notably grabbing braces in wins against Xerez CD (3–1 away) and Albacete Balompié (5–1, home).

Charles joined UD Almería – also in Andalusia – for the 2012–13 season, after engaging in extensive and fruitless conversations with Córdoba to renew his contract. On 2 December 2012 he scored a hat-trick past Racing de Santander in a 4–3 away win and, already fully reconverted as a striker after having started his career as a winger, was crowned the competition's Pichichi Trophy at 27 goals (plus five in the playoffs) to help his team back to La Liga after two years.

On 27 June 2013, Charles penned a four-year contract with RC Celta de Vigo, as a replacement for Liverpool-bound Iago Aspas. He scored in his top-flight debut at the age of 29, in a 2–2 home draw against RCD Espanyol.

Charles was the author of the first-ever goal at the new San Mamés Stadium on 16 September 2013, but in a 3–2 loss to Athletic Bilbao. He took his league tally to seven on 11 January of the following year, netting a brace to help the hosts come from behind and defeat Valencia CF 2–1.

Charles scored both goals in the 2–0 home victory over Real Madrid on 11 May 2014, which ended his opponents chances of winning the league. On 24 June 2015, he signed a two-year deal with fellow top-division Málaga CF.

On 3 October 2015, in matchday seven, Charles netted all of his side's goals – also their first of the new season – to help defeat Real Sociedad 3–1 at the La Rosaleda Stadium. In July 2017 he joined SD Eibar also from the main division, agreeing to a one-year contract on a free transfer.

On 31 July 2020, the 36-year-old Charles returned to Pontevedra. Three years later, following the club's relegation to Segunda Federación, he retired.

Personal life
Charles' father, Careca, was also a footballer. A midfielder, he played for Paysandu Sport Club, Santos and Clube do Remo before moving to Portugal in 1987.

Charles was cousin to two other footballers, Igor de Souza and Yuri de Souza. They too were forwards and also spent several seasons in Portugal and Spain, also representing Pontevedra.

Honours
Feirense
 * Segunda Divisão: 2002–03

Individual
 * Pichichi Trophy (Segunda División): 2012–13