Rafael Silva (footballer, born 1992)

Rafael da Silva (born 4 April 1992) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Série A club Cruzeiro.

Early life
Rafael was born in São Paulo.

Club career
Rafael Silva started his professional football career with Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Coritiba in the 2012 league season. He would make his debut on 8 April 2012 against Cianorte in the Campeonato Paranaense in a 3–1 victory. This would be followed by his first goal for the club on 29 April 2012 against Roma Apucarana in the Campeonato Paranaense in a 3–1 win.

Rafael joined Albirex Niigata in August 2014 from Swiss Challenge League club Lugano. He made his debut for the club in a 2–0 away loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima on 20 September 2014. He scored his first goal for the club against Kawasaki Frontale on 5 October. After three seasons with Albirex Niigata he would move to another Japanese club in Urawa Red Diamonds where in his debut season he immediately established himself as a vital member of the team that went on to win the 2017 AFC Champions League.

On 3 February 2018, Rafael transferred to second tier Chinese football club Wuhan Zall. He would make his debut and score his first goal for the club on 11 March 2018 in a league game against Shanghai Shenxin in a 1–0 victory. He would go on to establish himself as a vital member of the team and he would win the division as well as gaining promotion at the end of the 2018 China League One campaign.

Club

 * Coritiba
 * Campeonato Paranaense: 2012, 2013


 * Urawa Red Diamonds
 * AFC Champions League: 2017


 * Wuhan Zall
 * China League One: 2018