Ze Gomes: Portugal and Guinea-Bissau striker joins Golan SC on free transfer

Portugal and Guinea-Bissau centre-forward Ze Gomes has joined Iraqi side Golan SC on a free transfer from AF Elbasani. The 27-year-old moves to the Iraq Stars League with an immediate switch after his contract in Albania came to an end.

Gomes, born in Bissau and standing at 1.81m, arrives as an experienced attacking option having featured across several European leagues. A right-footed striker, he has built a senior career that has taken in spells in Portugal, Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Poland, Italy and Romania.

At AF Elbasani, Gomes had been competing in the Kategoria Superiore, adding to a resume that already included time in Liga Portugal 2, the Ekstraklasa, the efbet Liga and the Cyprus First Division. Across those competitions he has accumulated well over 200 senior appearances in league and cup football, including regular minutes as a central attacking focal point.

Gomes’ reputation was first forged at Benfica, where he progressed through the youth ranks from the under-15s to Benfica B. He impressed on the European stage early in his career, scoring 11 goals in 18 UEFA Youth League matches and adding four assists, underlining his ability in continental competition.

Internationally at youth level, he was part of a golden Portuguese generation. Gomes became European Under-17 champion in 2016 and European Under-19 champion in 2018, while also finishing as top scorer and Player of the Tournament at the UEFA Under-17 Championship with seven goals.

Ze Gomes’ move from AF Elbasani to Golan SC is a permanent free transfer, with the forward now registered as a Golan SC player in the Iraq Stars League.