He will probably never become a super star. He is a low-key person, that’s his character. Everyone speaks highly of his performances and his behaviour off the pitch. He is a natural born fighter who never gives up and has established himself as a regular centre-back at PAOK. In just two-and-a-half years, he has managed to feature in 100 games for the “Double-Headed Eagle”.

Miguel Vítor started his career at SL Benfica youth system. In 2007, at the age of 18, he made his senior team debut in the encounter of the “Lisbon Eagles” against Vitória de Guimarães. He also participated in the UEFA Champions League 3rd qualifying round encounter against F.C. København, as regulars Luisão and David Luiz were both sidelined.

He got to play with them until January 2008, when he was shipped on loan to CD Aves. This turn of events helped him to gain competitive rhythm. When he returned to Estádio da Luz he fought for a place among the regulars and conjured up 16 appearances, 15 of them as starter. But things didn’t turn out as he would have wished. Jorge Jesus, the successor of Quique Sánchez Flores on the bench of SL Benfica, wasn’t a fan and Vítor’s playing time was reduced considerably.

In 2010 he moved to England, on loan to Leicester City, then coached by his countryman Paulo Sousa. As soon as he adjusted to the Championship and got into rhythm, he became irreplaceable. He also featured in Portugal’s U21 games. PAOK had set their sights on Miguel Vítor since 2012, but the deal didn’t go through. It did though one year later, as a free agent, agreeing terms until 2016. Giorgos Georgiadis travelled to Lisbon just for him and sealed the deal before the season’s end.

At PAOK, coached then by Huub Stevens, the Portuguese defender became a regular right from the start and lined up impeccable performances no matter who his partner at centre-back was. The Dutch coach left Toumba, but that didn’t affect Vítor’s playing time. In his first season at Thessaloniki with 5 goals in 36 appearances.

Angelos Anastasiadis’s arrival initially put his future at PAOK in doubt, but eventually he went on to lead the team’s defensive line in a very weird season. His tally was 2 goals in 41 games.

In the current season, the Portuguese defender is maintaining his high standards of performance. Igor Tudor is the fourth coach he has won over, the Croatian tactician stating that Vítor is his top player for that position, regardless of the system (of three or four defenders) or his partner (Ricardo Costa, Stelios Malezas, Giorgos Tzavellas or Giannis Skondras).