Born in
São Brás de Alportel,
Faro District, Faria played youth football for three clubs, including
FC Porto from ages 16 to 18. He started his senior career with
Louletano DC, with which he spent three seasons in the
third division. Faria moved straight to the
Primeira Liga in the summer of 2004, signing with
U.D. Leiria. He made his debut as a professional on 7 November, coming on as a late
substitute in a 1–0 away win against
Académica de Coimbra; it would be the first of only two league appearances during
the season. From
2008 to
2013, Faria competed in the
Cypriot First Division, always with
Enosis Neon Paralimni FC. For
the following campaign he joined
AEL Kalloni FC, starting in 19 games to help his team to finish 12th in the
Super League Greece. Faria split 2014–15 with
Valletta F.C. from Malta and
Apollon Smyrnis F.C. in the
Greek second division. His maiden appearance in the
Scottish Championship took place only three days later, as he played the full 90 minutes and was
booked in a 1–2 home defeat to
Falkirk. Faria left Livingston in January 2016, and signed for
Airdrieonians also in the country shortly after. He was suspended by the latter in October pending investigation of an accusation of
bullying made against him, leaving two months later in order to return to Portugal. On 8 November 2018, immediately after retiring following a spell in the
Portuguese third tier with Louletano, the 35-year-old Faria was appointed first-team coach at English
Premier League club
AFC Bournemouth. ==International career==