Hildeberto Pereira A product of S.L. Benfica’s youth system, Pereira debuted for Benfica B on 15 March 2015 in a 3–0 away win at Farense (0–3) in the Segunda Liga. He netted a brace in a victory by the same score at Porto B on 17 May.
On 22 July 2016, Pereira signed a season-long loan deal with English Championship club Nottingham Forest for the 2016–17 season. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win over Birmingham City on 14 October. Pereira was sent off on 7 November during a 1–1 draw with Queens Park Rangers, which was already his third dismissal of the season following earlier red cards away at Aston Villa on 11 September and at Blackburn Rovers on 18 October. Forest manager Philippe Montanier, was angry that his first caution was collected for dissent and confirmed that the player would be fined by the club.
When Mark Warburton was appointed as Forest manager in March 2017 for the last nine games of the season, Pereira took no further part in the campaign. On 10 July 2017, Pereira joined Ekstraklasa side Legia Warsaw on a four-contract with the option of a fifth. He played seven games during his time in the Polish capital, and scored twice on 28 November in a 4–2 home win (7–3 aggregate) over Bytovia Bytów in the quarter-finals of the cup.
Pereira returned to the English Football League on 3 January 2018, joining Northampton Town in League One until the end of the season. On 13 February, as a half-time substitute for Sam Foley, he was sent off in a 2–1 home loss to Gillingham.
Pereira arrived at Legia overweight because of three months without playing, and suffered an injury that ruled him out for a further three. He considered quitting football as a result. On 2 August 2018, Pereira returned to Portugal and signed a three-year contract with Primeira Liga side Vitória de Setúbal. He scored four times in his first top-flight season, including a hat-trick on 6 October in a 4–0 home win against Moreirense FC.
I asked Hildeberto Pereira a few questions about his career and his time at Northampton.
What was the difference in playing in England to Portugal?
English and Portuguese football are quite different, Portugal is more technical and you pass the ball more. England is more strict and strong.
How did you move to Northampton come about?
The coach Jimmy (Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink) really liked me and I wasn’t playing much with Legia. He called me and asked if I wanted to join and I said yes straight away.
What’s the one thing that sticks out from your football career so far and why?
My season at Nottingham Forest! I’ll never forget this season because everything was good. I played amazing, I love the city and the fans supported me so much.
What are you planning to do after football?
Right now I don’t think about this because I am young I want to live in the moment and enjoy football much longer but definitely be with my family! Maybe become a scout because I love to see players play football
What sticks in your mind from your time at Northampton?
The fans supported me too much! I felt the love in my first game it was unbelievable. I liked that club very much.
Throughout your career, you played at many grounds, what’s been the best one and the best atmosphere?
Benfica and England
I’ll never forget the first time I played in the UK, it was Newcastle stadium 65 thousand people and I played very good! After the game, the fans asked to take pictures. And Benfica because this is my home. I came to Benfica when I was 15 years old and stayed for 7 years. It’s definitely my first home