Chico Geraldes

DOB 18/4/95

Francisco ‘Chico’ Geraldes joined the Wellington Phoenix on the final day of the mid-season registration window.

The Portuguese attacking midfielder came through the famed Sporting Lisbon youth system and played 150 matches in La Liga Portugal for Sporting, Moreirense, Rio Ave and Estoril Praia.

Geraldes also spent time on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt and AEK Athens before joining FC Baniyas in the UAE Pro League in August 2023.

After six months in the UAE he joined Johor Darul Ta’azim FC in Malaysia at the start of 2024.

Geraldes is a former Portuguese youth international and played alongside the likes of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and former Manchester City fullback João Cancelo at under-21 level.

> 2023-24 season

Chico Geraldes made 14 appearances for FC Baniyas in the UAE before making a mid-season move to Malaysia.

Geraldes featured 11 times for Johor in 2024 and helped them win the Malaysian FA Cup.

He spent time on loan at Eldense in Spain’s Segunda División before joining the Nix.

“I think this is the perfect place for me to come,” Geraldes said. “I’m looking forward to playing and helping the Phoenix.

“The team is the most important thing. I want to help the Phoenix secure more points and get qualification to the finals.

“And personally I need to get my joy back in football.

“I think Wellington is a very warm place to be because people are so gentle and so kind, and they’re already making me feel at home.”