Signed: January 2006 from FBK Kaunas

Debut: 11 February 2006

Honours: Portuguese Championship (with Benfica), Scottish Cup (with Hearts); Youth, U21 International

As strong and mobile defensive midfielder who undertakes much of the less glamorous work and is a real team player.

Bruno is a product of the SL Benfica youth system and he was on the books of the famous Lisbon club from the age of nine. The tough ball-winner was farmed out to Gil Vicente FC in season 2001-2002, but made only three substitute appearances.

The following season, he was loaned to FC de Alverca and scored 4 times in 29 games as his new club was promoted to the top division. Accordingly, Bruno's loan contract was extended for another twelve months and although Alverca was relegated, he earned a recall to Benfica in the summer of 2004.

Bruno had become a regular in the Portuguese Youth and U21 teams and in August 2004, he was given an opportunity by manager, Giovanni Trapattoni. The rugged midfielder made his debut in a UEFA Champions League Qualifier against RSC Anderlecht in August 2004 and then appeared in 18 League games as Benfica won the Championship for the first time in a decade.

Bruno played in the 2005/06 Champions League but fell out with manager, Ronald Koeman, over a loan arrangement and was released in December 2005. This left him free to join FBK Kaunas and subsequently Hearts for three-and-a-half years.

The Portuguese ball-winner is strong and talented and a real box-to-box man who is well suited to the Scottish game. He is currently recovering from an ankle injury sustained in early 2007.