João Paulo Andrade

Football player infobox
playername = João Paulo


fullname = João Paulo Andrade
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1981|06|06
cityofbirth = Leiria
countryofbirth = Portugal
height = height|meter=1.81
position = Defender/defensive midfielder
currentclub = Rapid Bucureşti
clubnumber = 4
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1999-2003 2000-2001 2003 2003-2006 2006-2008 2008-
clubs = UD Leiria → União de Tomar "(loan)"
→ Sporting CP "(loan)" U.D. Leiria FC Porto Rapid Bucureşti
caps(goals) = 36 0(3) 0? 0(?) 06 0(0) 95 (13) 06 0(1) 05 0(0)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = September 23 2008
ntupdate =

João Paulo Andrade, known as João Paulo (born June 6, 1981, in Porto de Mós, Leiria, Portugal) is a Portuguese football centre-back, who can also play the defensive midfielder role. He currently plays for Rapid Bucureşti.

He started as a youngster at União de Tomar, and later - 2001/02 season - went on to play at UD Leiria, on the Portuguese SuperLiga, where he established himself as regular starter and one of the most consistent members of the squad. Meanwhile, he was called up several times to Portugal national under-21 football team. While in Leiria, he was also awarded the captain's armband. In the final months of 2002-03 he was loaned to Sporting CP.

After having performed the last two seasons in great shape, he was tipped to be transferred to one of the Portuguese greats. In June 2006, FC Porto agreed his transfer. During the preseason, he suffered a major injury that kept him out of action for several months. He served as third or fourth option for central defender at the northern side.