Club career
Born in Tondela, Viseu District, Piloto was brought up in the youth system of Associação Académica de Coimbra – O.A.F., Académica de Coimbra. His first season as a senior would be spent with semi-professional Anadia F.C., Anadia FC, in 2001–02, after which he played two years with Académica's reserves in the Segunda Divisão, third division; his debut with the first team arrived late into 2002–03 Primeira Liga, 2002–03. Piloto was used irregularly in his first years with the main squad (six Primeira Liga appearances, then 25 and nine), definitely becoming an important part in 2007–08 Primeira Liga, 2007–08 and scoring his first league goals in 2008–09 Primeira Liga, the following campaign in home matches against C.D. Nacional (1–1) and C.F. Os Belenenses (1–0). By this time, he was already Captain (association football), team captain. In June 2009, after rejecting offers for a new deal, Piloto moved abroad and signed a three-year contract with Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C. in Greece. In the end of July, during pre-season training, he suffered a tear in the ligaments of his left knee after a strong challenge by Matías Lequi, being sidelined for six months. The surgery took place in his country, on 10 August, being performed by FC Porto's medical staff. After failing to make a single appearance, Piloto returned to Portugal and signed a two-year deal with top flight club S.C. Olhanense. On 6 September 2013, after three years with little playing time, narrowly avoiding relegation in 2012–13 Primeira Liga, his last, he rejoined Académica. On 23 June 2016, in spite of his team's 2015–16 Primeira Liga, relegation to the Segunda Liga, 34-year-old Piloto renewed his contract – about to expire – for another year.Academic career
Still as a professional footballer, Piloto graduated from the University of Coimbra with a degree in biochemistry, majoring in 2005. This was followed by a master's degree in 2009.References
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* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Piloto, Nuno 1982 births Living people Portuguese footballers Association football midfielders Primeira Liga players Liga Portugal 2 players Segunda Divisão players Associação Académica de Coimbra – O.A.F. players Anadia F.C. players G.D. Tourizense players S.C. Olhanense players Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C. players Portuguese expatriate footballers Expatriate footballers in Greece Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Greece Sportspeople from Viseu District