Xande Silva Bio
Alexandre “Xande” Nascimento da Costa e Silva, born on 16 March 1997, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward. He is currently registered with Israeli Premier League club Hapoel Tel Aviv, where he wears the number 10 shirt. Over the course of his career, Silva has represented clubs in Portugal, England, Greece, France, the United States, and Israel, building a reputation as a versatile attacker with an eye for goal.
Standing 1.77 meters tall, Silva developed through one of Portugal’s most respected academy systems before embarking on a journeyman career across several of Europe’s top leagues. He has also been a youth international for Portugal at every level between under-15 and under-20.
Early Life and Background
Alexandre Nascimento da Costa e Silva was born in Porto, Portugal, on 16 March 1997. He is of Angolan descent, a heritage that connects him to a broader football tradition within his family. From an early age, football was a central part of his upbringing, shaped in large part by his father, Joaquim, who was also a professional footballer.
Joaquim, also a forward, spent most of his playing career in China and Portugal and represented the Angola national team. Growing up in a household with such a deep connection to the game, Silva was introduced to organized football at a young age. He began his youth journey with local clubs Alverca and Belenenses between 2007 and 2009 before joining the prestigious Sporting CP academy, where he would spend the next five formative years refining his skills as an attacker.
Path to Soccer
Silva’s progression through the Sporting CP ranks established him as a promising young talent on the Portuguese football scene. After five years in the Sporting system, he made the move to Vitória de Guimarães’ academy at the age of 17, joining a club known for developing players for top-flight football. This transition marked the beginning of his senior career pathway.
At Vitória de Guimarães, he was integrated into the reserve team, where he was given the opportunity to test himself in the Segunda Liga. His performances in the reserves, combined with his natural attacking instincts, eventually earned him a call-up to the senior squad, setting the stage for his first taste of Primeira Liga football and a career that would soon take him abroad.
Xande Silva Career
Early Career (2014–2018)
Silva began his senior career with Vitória de Guimarães B in 2014, making his Segunda Liga debut on 17 August 2014 as a late substitute in a 1–0 away loss to Oliveirense. He scored his first goal in the competition on 18 January 2015, helping the hosts defeat Benfica B by a score of 4–1.
His maiden Primeira Liga appearance came in the penultimate match of the 2014–15 season, when he played 11 minutes in a 0–0 home draw against Benfica after replacing Otávio. Silva’s first league goal arrived on 7 December 2015, in a 3–1 home win over Rio Ave, a result that helped announce his arrival as a first-team contributor.
West Ham United Breakthrough (2018–2021)
On 2 August 2018, Silva signed a three-year contract with West Ham United for an undisclosed fee, initially joining the under-23 setup. He made an immediate impact, scoring a four-minute hat-trick on his Premier League 2 debut against Tottenham Hotspur just 11 days after his arrival.
His Premier League debut followed on 30 December 2018, when he came off the bench in a 2–0 away defeat to Burnley. The 2019–20 season was disrupted by a serious health scare, as Silva was rushed to hospital in Portugal and underwent emergency bowel surgery. After recovering, he was loaned to Greek Super League side Aris on 5 October 2020, where he scored his first goal in Greek football on 2 December, an individual effort that capped a 3–0 win at AEL.
Nottingham Forest and Dijon Era (2021–2023)
On 31 August 2021, Silva joined EFL Championship club Nottingham Forest on a two-year deal. His debut came on 15 September 2021, replacing Lyle Taylor midway through the second half of a 0–2 home loss to Middlesbrough. The following summer, he sought a fresh start in France.
On 2 August 2022, Silva signed a three-year contract with Dijon. He ranked second on his team in scoring with six goals, level with teammate Bryan Soumaré, but the club was relegated from Ligue 2 after finishing third from the bottom, prompting another move as he looked to reignite his career.
Atlanta United Era (2023–2025)
In August 2023, Silva joined Major League Soccer side Atlanta United on loan for the remainder of the campaign. He made an immediate impression, starting in eight of his regular-season appearances and scoring twice during the playoffs. On 4 December 2023, Atlanta exercised the transfer option, and Silva agreed to a two-year deal with an option for an additional year.
St. Louis City and Hapoel Tel Aviv (2025–Present)
On 23 April 2025, St. Louis City acquired Silva, marking his latest move within Major League Soccer. Later that year, in August, he transferred to the Israeli Premier League, signing with Hapoel Tel Aviv. His debut for the Israeli club proved eventful, as he was shown a red card just eight minutes into a 2–2 away draw against Maccabi Bnei Reineh.
Driving Style and Strengths
Silva is a versatile attacker capable of playing on the wing or through the center as a forward. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an ability to contribute goals from wide positions, using his pace and direct running to beat defenders. His comfort in front of goal was evident during his time at Dijon, where he ranked among the team’s top scorers despite the club’s relegation.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Silva’s early career came in the youth ranks, when he was part of the Portugal under-17 squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2014 UEFA European Championship and was named to the Team of the Tournament. Two years later, he helped the under-19 side reach the semi-finals of the 2016 European Championship in Germany. At the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, he scored in the quarter-final against Uruguay, a match Portugal ultimately lost on penalties.
Xande Silva International Career
Silva has been a youth international for Portugal at every level between under-15 and under-20. His international highlights include semi-final runs at both the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and the 2016 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, as well as a quarter-final appearance at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he found the net against Uruguay.
Xande Silva Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Silva’s father, Joaquim, was also a professional footballer. Like his son, Joaquim played as a forward and spent the majority of his career in China and Portugal. He also represented the Angola national team, giving the Silva family a notable presence in international football across two continents.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Porto, Portugal, Silva comes from a family with deep roots in the game. His Angolan heritage, passed down through his father, has been a part of his identity throughout his life and career. Details about his personal relationships and life away from football are not widely documented in public sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Silva. He began the year with Atlanta United before being acquired by St. Louis City on 23 April 2025, marking his second MLS club in a calendar year. His time with St. Louis City offered a new environment and a fresh opportunity to establish himself in the league.
In August 2025, Silva made a significant international move, transferring to Israeli Premier League club Hapoel Tel Aviv. Although his debut was cut short by an early red card against Maccabi Bnei Reineh, the move represents a new chapter in his career and an opportunity to compete in a fifth national league. With the season still unfolding, Silva will be looking to make an impact in Israel and build on the experience gained from his years across European and American football.