José Semedo (footballer, born 1985)

Portuguese footballer

Semedo was loaned again for the 2006–07 campaign, moving to Serie A's Cagliari Calcio. He made his competitive debut in the Coppa Italia, but would only appear three times in the league, the first as a late substitute in a 3–1 away loss against AC Milan on 21 April 2007. He was sent off in his last match, a 2–1 defeat at Ascoli Calcio 1898, with the Sardinians barely avoiding relegation.

In 2007, Semedo signed a four year contract with Charlton Athletic on a free transfer. Although touted as a central defender when he signed, he played mainly as a defensive midfielder for the Football League Championship side, and scored his first goal in a 4–0 win over Tranmere Rovers on 29 August 2009, with the team now in League One. Semedo was crowned Charlton's Player of the Year in May 2011, picking up 43% of the votes in what was the club's worst season for a number of decades. However, manager Chris Powell could not offer him assurances that he would be a key member in the following season, as he aimed to create a more fluid midfield, and so, on 7 July, the player joined Sheffield Wednesday also of the English third tier, again as a free agent. In his first season with the Owls, which ended in promotion to the Championship after finishing second behind Charlton, Semedo was voted Player of the Year and League One PFA Fans' Player of the Year. From 2013 to 2016, he was given one year extensions to his contract. Starting in 2015, Semedo played less often for the Hillsborough club, due to the acquisitions of Ross Wallace, Barry Bannan and Álex López. The first of those players reflected in April that "Semedo trains like an animal every day and doesn’t slacken off, even though he is not playing or in the squad". In 2023, a mural by local artist Pete McKee inspired by Semedo's celebration of Chris O’Grady's winning goal in the 2012 victory over city rivals Sheffield United was unveiled close to Wednesday's ground.

On 25 May 2017, aged 32, Semedo was released. On 24 August he returned to his country after 11 years, on a two year deal with Vitória de Setúbal. He made his Primeira Liga debut on 10 September, replacing João Amaral for the last 19 minutes of the 2–0 home victory over S. C. Braga. Having played 55 games and scored twice for his hometown club, Semedo signed a new two year contract in June 2019. On 23 January 2023, the 38 year old announced his retirement from professional football.

Of Cape Verdean descent, Semedo represented the Portugal under 21 team during the 2006 UEFA European Championship. In the only match he played he was sent off due to an aggressive foul, and the country lost against Serbia and Montenegro and failed to qualify from its group.

During his formative years at Sporting, Semedo became a close friend of Cristiano Ronaldo, later of Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus FC and Portugal fame. The former cited the latter as a major factor for his life not having taken a turn for the worse, if he had been dismissed from the youth academy. Semedo's wife Soraia died in September 2021, having been hospitalised due to an infection.