About

Clube Desportivo Santa Clara, based in Ponta Delgada, Portugal, compete in the Primeira Liga and have a distinct identity on and off the pitch. Founded on 12 May 1927, the club from the Azores combines local pride with rare continental appearances, and Walkouts lists signed football shirts and framed items that reflect that history for fans and collectors.

As the most successful side from the archipelago, Santa Clara have represented the islands in UEFA competition, including a notable run into the UEFA Intertoto Cup and the UEFA Europa Conference League. That continental footprint, and the club’s league campaigns, help explain why match-issued and play-off shirts attract attention from buyers and archivists alike.

The team plays its home fixtures at Estádio de São Miguel, and local contests such as derbies with CD Operário carry added provenance for shirts tied to those fixtures. Umbro supply and Lebull sponsorship appear on recent kits, and provenance notes for match-worn and retail shirts often cite specific fixtures and photographic evidence to verify use.

Collector releases include anniversary editions, most notably the Centenário crest treatment issued around the club’s milestone years, which appeals to regional collectors who follow special crests and commemorative runs. These anniversary shirts are typically linked to commemorative branding and limited local distribution, making them distinct pieces for display and study.

Season and match magnets for Santa Clara include the club’s first top-flight campaign and recent European attempts, such as the 1999-2000 debut season, the 2021-22 Europa Conference League play-off campaign and the 2023-24 promotion season. Shirts from those seasons are chased because they mark firsts, continental qualification and promotion, and because match-issue variants from play-off ties often carry unique sleeve patches or production codes.

Iconic pieces for away collectors include the black/gold 2021-22 away set worn during the ECL campaign and the play-off against Partizan, items that link a colourway to a decisive tie. Signed retail demand is strong too: fanshop shirts, early production runs, player-issue variants and region-specific releases are commonly collected, with many listings accompanied by COA or photographic provenance to separate framed retail signatures from match-worn material.

Provenance notes often reference match-issue ECL shirts and island rival fixtures as tangible provenance, and collectors frequently seek items from the 1999-2000 and 2021-22 campaigns alongside 2023-24 champions’ releases. For authenticated Santa Clara signed football shirts and memorabilia, including match-issued and fanshop pieces, explore Walkouts for verified items and documented provenance.

Collector Highlights

Iconic home kits

  • 1999–2000 Red Primeira top-flight debut
  • 2021–22 Red Europa Conference League play-off v Partizan
  • 2023–24 Red Liga 2 champions (promotion)

Iconic away kits

  • 2021–22 Black/gold ECL away set

Anniversary shirts

  • 2021 Centenário special crest

Collector seasons

  • 1999–2000 Primeira first season
  • 2021–22 Europa Conference League play-off run
  • 2023–24 Liga 2 champions

Honours

Santa Clara have carved a distinctive honours path for a club from the Azores, highlighted by their Liga 2 champions triumph in 2023-24 that secured promotion. They remain the only team from the archipelago to compete in the Portuguese top flight, establishing themselves in the Primeira Liga and becoming the westernmost top‑tier club in Europe. A regional milestone arrived with their first season at that level in 1999-2000, marking the start of the Azores' representation among the elite.

Continental ventures have further broadened the club's footprint. Santa Clara featured in the UEFA Europa Conference League, with a notable play‑off tie against Partizan, and previously stepped onto the European stage via the UEFA Intertoto Cup. Their competitive standing is also reflected in an IFFHS world club ranking of 353. Together, these achievements capture a story of steady progress, from a landmark top‑flight debut to domestic silverware and authentic European nights for supporters in Ponta Delgada.

Legends & Leadership

Osama Rashid is regarded as a recent key player for Santa Clara in the late 2010s, remembered for his influence in midfield and for helping the side consolidate its identity at top professional level during that period.

Carlos Jr. stands out as a recent key player of the late 2010s, providing attacking presence and consistency as Santa Clara continued to build its reputation against leading opposition.

Crysan emerged as a recent key player in the early 2020s, adding cutting‑edge forward play that complemented the team’s evolution across domestic and European fixtures.

Joao Henriques is noted as a manager who shaped the project in the late 2010s, guiding the squad through a stable phase that underpinned subsequent campaigns in Portugal’s top tier.

Stadium

The club’s home is the Estadio de Sao Miguel, the principal venue for professional football on the island of Sao Miguel in Ponta Delgada. Known for its coastal setting and open skies typical of the Azores, it offers a distinctive stage for Santa Clara’s fixtures and a matchday atmosphere that blends local pride with visiting support from the mainland.

Prime ties in the Primeira Liga bring a charged ambience, while island rivalries add extra edge. The local derby spirit is most keenly felt when CD Operario are involved, and matches against Madeira sides Maritimo and Nacional carry a familiar island narrative. With the Azorean backdrop and community support, the Estadio de Sao Miguel remains central to the club’s identity and a memorable stop for travelling teams and supporters alike.

Capacity
12500

Authentication & Provenance

  • Verification UEFA vs Liga patches
  • Suppliers Kelme/Joma eras; verify codes
  • Provenance ECL match-issue shirts prized

FAQ

Q: Where is C.D. Santa Clara based and which league do they play in? A: The club is based in Ponta Delgada on the Azores and competes in the Primeira Liga, Portugal's top division.

Q: Has Santa Clara played in European competitions? A: Yes. They are the only club from the Azores to appear in UEFA tournaments, with participation in the UEFA Intertoto Cup and the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Q: How is authenticity handled for signed or match-related items? A: Items are vetted by experienced staff and can include a COA or equivalent verification on request.

Q: Who are Santa Clara's main rivals? A: The principal local rivals are CD Operário from Lagoa on the same island of Sao Miguel, with other notable island rivals being C.S. Maritimo and C.D. Nacional from Madeira.

Q: Do you ship internationally? A: Yes, we ship worldwide. Free worldwide shipping.