José Bosingwa da Silva Biography | José Bosingwa da Silva News

Born in Democratic Republic of Congo (to a Portuguese father and a Congolese mother), Bosingwa moved with his parents at a very young age to Seia, inner Portugal, in the Guarda district. He was picked as a youth to play in Boavista F.C., where he stayed until picked by José Mourinho in 2003-04 for his FC Porto squad, where he was used sparingly (11 league games) that season. He made his UEFA Champions League debut on September 16, 2003, in a 1-1 away draw with Partizan Belgrade (playing 8 matches in the club's victorious campaign).

Fully established as a right-back (he started as a midfielder) and Porto's first-choice since 2004-05, after the departures of Paulo Ferreira and veteran Carlos Secretário, Bosingwa was a vital element in the team's conquest of four league titles in five seasons.

The season ended on a sour note as, in May 2005, Bosingwa was at the wheel of his jeep when excess speed and wet road conditions led to a serious accident, with the vehicle skidding off the motorway and rolling down an embankment before bursting into flames. Along with the Porto player, four other footballers travelled, including then-Boavista player Nélson. All escaped alive, but one of them, Sandro Luís (player of modest Grupo Desportivo Os Minhocas), had to have his left foot amputated as a result of the accident, which took place in Valongo. Bosingwa was subsequently suspended by the club.

On 11 May 2008, Porto announced that Bosingwa had come to verbal agreements with Chelsea for a €20.6million/£16.3m transfer. He put pen to paper on a 3-year deal, and joined the London club after Euro 2008, along with Portugal national team boss Luiz Felipe Scolari and fellow international Deco. On July 16, 2008, Bosingwa was presented with the number 16.

Born in Democratic Republic of Congo (to a Portuguese father and a Congolese mother), Bosingwa moved with his parents at a very young age to Seia, inner Portugal, in the Guarda district. He was picked as a youth to play in Boavista F.C., where he stayed until picked by José Mourinho in 2003-04 for his FC Porto squad, where he was used sparingly (11 league games) that season. He made his UEFA Champions League debut on September 16, 2003, in a 1-1 away draw with Partizan Belgrade (playing 8 matches in the club's victorious campaign).

Fully established as a right-back (he started as a midfielder) and Porto's first-choice since 2004-05, after the departures of Paulo Ferreira and veteran Carlos Secretário, Bosingwa was a vital element in the team's conquest of four league titles in five seasons.

The season ended on a sour note as, in May 2005, Bosingwa was at the wheel of his jeep when excess speed and wet road conditions led to a serious accident, with the vehicle skidding off the motorway and rolling down an embankment before bursting into flames. Along with the Porto player, four other footballers travelled, including then-Boavista player Nélson. All escaped alive, but one of them, Sandro Luís (player of modest Grupo Desportivo Os Minhocas), had to have his left foot amputated as a result of the accident, which took place in Valongo. Bosingwa was subsequently suspended by the club.

On 11 May 2008, Porto announced that Bosingwa had come to verbal agreements with Chelsea for a €20.6million/£16.3m transfer. He put pen to paper on a 3-year deal, and joined the London club after Euro 2008, along with Portugal national team boss Luiz Felipe Scolari and fellow international Deco. On July 16, 2008, Bosingwa was presented with the number 16.

Thanks to his consistent performances at club level, Bosingwa became a regular in the Portugal squad since 2007, overtaking Miguel as the country's first choice right-back. He also represented his nation in the 2004 Olympic Games, in Athens and the 2004 under-21 European championship.

Bosingwa was named in the Portguese Squad for the Euro 2008 Championships. Portugal were knocked out in the quarter finals and Bosingwa was a starter in 3 of their 4 matches, playing at right back. In each match he performed exceptionally, leading to him being named in the UEFA team of the tournament.

Thanks to his consistent performances at club level, Bosingwa became a regular in the Portugal squad since 2007, overtaking Miguel as the country's first choice right-back. He also represented his nation in the 2004 Olympic Games, in Athens and the 2004 under-21 European championship.

Bosingwa was named in the Portguese Squad for the Euro 2008 Championships. Portugal were knocked out in the quarter finals and Bosingwa was a starter in 3 of their 4 matches, playing at right back. In each match he performed exceptionally, leading to him being named in the UEFA team of the tournament.