Alhandra (footballer)


Luís Miguel Assunção Joaquim, known as Alhandra, is a Portuguese retired footballer who played mainly as a left back – he could also appear as a midfielder.

Club career

Alhandra was born in Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon District. An unsuccessful graduate of Sporting CP's youth academy he started professionally with its farm team, Sporting Clube Lourinhanense. After a brief spell with FC Porto's reserves he lived his most steady period with U.D. Leiria, helping the side to participations in the UEFA Intertoto Cup and being regularly used over the course of six Primeira Liga seasons.
On 2 April 2008, Alhandra signed a two-year contract with Enosis Neon Paralimni FC, adding to the massive Portuguese contingent at the Cypriot club. He returned to Portugal after one sole season, joining second level team Gil Vicente F.C. and being released at the end of the campaign.
Subsequently, Alhandra resumed his career in the lower leagues of his country, retiring in 2012 at the age of 33.