José Júlio Gomes Gonçalves (born 17 September 1985) is a retired Portuguese professional footballer who played as a left back or central defender. He started his career in Switzerland, moving to Scotland with Heart of Midlothian in 2006 and returning to the previous country after three seasons. He signed with Major League Soccer club New England Revolution in 2013, leaving three years later. Gonçalves represented Portugal at the 2007 European Under-21 Championship. Club career Early years Born in Lisbon to Portuguese people of Cape Verdean descent, Gonçalves moved to Switzerland at the age of two. He joined FC Basel in 2002 at 17, but could never appear officially for the first team over the course of two seasons. Gonçalves split 2004–05 between FC Winterthur (second division) and S.S.C. Venezia (Italy, Serie B), returning to Switzerland for one additional campaign, with FC Thun in the Super League; with the latter club he first competed in the UEFA Champions League, playing in all six group stage games in an eventual third-place finish, with the subsequent qualification to the UEFA Cup. Heart of Midlothian After a trial spell, Everton decided not to pursue their interest in Gonçalves, while Newcastle United, Rangers and Crystal Palace were all linked to the player in the press. In January 2006, however, it was Heart of Midlothian that eventually acquired him, in a deal that saw him signed by owner Vladimir Romanov's other club, FBK Kaunas, and then immediately loaned out to the Edinburgh side. Gonçalves made his official debut for Hearts in a 3–0 win against Aberdeen in the 2005–06 Scottish Cup, although a series of injuries curtailed his appearances during his first year with the team. After a six-month lay-off to deal with hamstring, hip and toe complaints, he returned to action against Dunfermline Athletic on 18 October. On 4 July 2008, Gonçalves signed a new contract with Hearts, being loaned to 1. FC Nürnberg from Germany on a season-long deal, with the 2. Bundesliga club having an option to sign him on a permanent deal. Despite the side boasting the best defensive record in the competition and earning promotion to the Bundesliga via the play-offs with an aggregate score of 5–0 against FC Energie Cottbus, his season was interrupted by injury and the Bavarians decided against signing him. After featuring regularly for the Jambos in pre-season, Gonçalves made his first competitive appearance since his return