Elpídio Silva

Elpídio Pereira Silva Filho (born 19 July 1975), known as Silva, is a Brazilian retired footballer who played as a striker.

He spent most of his career in Portugal, mainly representing Boavista and amassing Primeira Liga totals of 187 matches and 62 goals over eight seasons.

Other than in his country, Silva also competed professionally in Japan, South Korea and Cyprus.

Club career
Born in Campina Grande, Paraíba, Silva started his professional career with Clube Atlético Mineiro but quickly moved overseas, joining J1 League club Kashiwa Reysol. After just one season he signed for Portugal's S.C. Braga, where he remained two seasons.

Silva's most productive period, however, was lived with fellow Primeira Liga side Boavista FC, where he was instrumental in the 2001 league conquest (their only) by scoring in the decisive 3–0 home win against C.D. Aves in the last round.

In the subsequent edition of the UEFA Champions League, Silva scored in a 1–1 draw at Liverpool, also finding the net in the second match between the two teams, with the same result. In Boavista's UEFA Cup semi-final run the following campaign, he labelled Celtic a "one-man team" prior to the sides' meeting in the competition's semifinals; the Scots won 2–1 on aggregate, with Henrik Larsson – the "one man" of Silva's tirade – scoring the decisive goal in Porto.

A move to Sporting CP ensued but, barred by newly signed compatriot Liédson, Silva received few opportunities to shine, although he did net six league goals in his debut season, also being loaned to Vitória S.C. in between.

Released by the Lisbon club in January 2006, Silva subsequently represented Derby County, where he did not appear due to fitness problems, Sport Club Corinthians Alagoano, Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Alki Larnaca FC. In January 2009, he moved to AEK Larnaca FC also in the Cypriot First Division.