Club 11/02/2023
Esmael Goncalves signs
We are delighted to announce the signing of an experienced player on loan for the remainder of the current season:
Striker Esmael Goncalves joins The Rovers on loan from SPFL Premiership club Livingston.
Esmael is not cup-tied for the rest of this season, so can play in today’s 5th Round Scottish Cup tie v Motherwell, if selected.
The 31 year old frontman was born in Guinea – Bissau and after moving to Portugal as a child started off his football career in the youth academies of Boavista and French Ligue 1 side Nice.
Goncalves first came to the attention of Scottish football supporters when he joined St. Mirren on loan from Rio Ave in 2013, scoring the equalising goal and providing an assist for the winning goal in the Buddies’ first League Cup win and their first major trophy since 1987.
Spells at Greek, Cypriot and Saudi Arabian clubs then followed before “Isma” returned to Scotland; arriving at Tynecastle to sign for Heart of Midlothian and playing over 40 games for the Jambos in season 2017-18, scoring 15 goals.
Since leaving Tynecastle, Isma has experienced football in Uzbekistan, Iran, Japan, India and Bangladesh and at the start of this season he returned to Scotland for a third time when he joined SPFL Premiership side Livingston on a two year deal.
Esmael has represented Guinea Bissau once at full international level in 2018, and also won under 17 caps for Portugal in season 2007-08.
Welcome Aboard Isma!