Valdemar "Val" Teixeira (born March 26, 1977 in Lisbon) is a Portuguese footballer. Career Youth and college Teixeira began his career playing for Amora FC in Portugal at the age of 6. At age 13, Teixeira was called up by Carlos Queiroz, Portugal's then-national team coach to represent Portugal U-13 in a Mini World Cup Tournament in Lisbon. At the age of 15, Teixeira received the honour to represent Portugal again in a tournament in Viseu that included teams from Cape Verde, Angola and Mozambique. In 1993, aged 16, Teixeira signed a contract with Benfica to play for the juniors team under the management of Professor Jose Morais former assistant coach for, Real Madrid, Chelsea Football Club under Manager Jose Mourinho. In August 1994 Teixeira moved to United States, settling in Somerville, Massachusetts. He attended Somerville High School, scoring 28 goals and 14 assists his junior year, helping the team reach the state finals and being named Greater Boston League MVP, Boston Herald Athlete of the Year and a 1st Team All-American. Teixeira later played one year of college soccer at Newbury College, playing 18 games and finishing his season with 13 goals and 5 assists as a center back. Professional Teixeira's professional career began when he signed a 4-year contract with the Rhode Island Stingrays of the USL Second Division in 1999. In 2002, Teixeira returned to Portugal to spend a short loan period playing for second division AD Sanjoanense, before returning to the US to finish the season with the Stingrays. In 2004 Teixeira signed a 4-year contract with the New Hampshire Phantoms, also of the USL Second Division, and helped the team reach the USL2 semi-finals, eventually losing to Charlotte Eagles. Teixeira joined Crystal Palace Baltimore in 2008, and went on trial with parent club Crystal Palace in August 2008. He played a reserved game with Palace UK vs Dagenham and Redbridge scoring 1 goal and getting 2 assists on the 5-1 win over the Redbridge, but was not offered a contract, despite manager Neil Warnock stating: “He’s done well, he’s got something but we don’t feel he’s going to be just quite right for the Championship at the moment". Teixeira later joined Chesterfield on trial, and scored a hat-trick for their reserve team against Wolves, which led to him being signed to an on loan contract. He made his debut for the Spireites on 27 September