22/07/22: We are delighted confirm that 21-year-old Luis Pinto-Leite becomes the first AFC Rushden & Diamonds Under 23 Scholar to sign Southern League Forms for the 2022/23 season through our already successful partnership with Moulton College.

Luis started his footballing career in Portugal for Grupo Sportivo de Carcavelos’s Academia Sporting Carcavelos, breaking through to the men’s team in 2014. He then went on to play for Grupo Desportivo Estoril Praia, Clube Futebol Os Belenenses and GIMD Aboboda before a spell in the United States with Bloomfield College in New Jersey.

He then came to the UK to play for Future Elite Sport’s Future Elite Academy, before then subsequently joining the Scholarship programme at Moulton College.

An attacking midfielder usually deployed in the number 10 role, he signs after an impressive 2021/22 campaign for the Scholar Under 23s where he contributed 16 goals and 6 assists in 23 appearances. This contributed to him winning the National Youth Football League South Premier Golden Boot for the 2021/22 season.

Andy Burgess: “Luis spent last season training with the first team squad and I was immediately impressed with his ability and quality on the ball and his unique ability to create and find space for himself. He’s a good size, with a robustness that is vital at this level and he has shown in his pre-season performances that he has the traits to be able to make this a breakthrough season in our first team.

Luis has been part of the Moulton College Scholarship programme for the last 2 years under the guidance of Tim Dudding and he is the first player to sign first team forms from that pathway which is fantastic to see. It shows what we have in place at the Club works and that when players show the right attitude, coupled with the correct mentality and work ethos then they will be given the opportunity in the first team squad. He will obviously continue to train with the U23s scholars but adjust his regime to compliment his involvement in our squad and that will be of massive benefit to him.

Above and beyond his ability on the pitch, Luis is a down-to-earth and humble lad who is desperate to do well and progress his career with the Club and that’s great to see. He will have my support and the support of everyone at the football club this season.”

28/07/23: We’re delighted to confirm that Luis Pinto-Leite has signed for the upcoming season. The attacking midfielder is ready to work his magic for the Diamonds yet again.

21/07/24: The Club can confirm that Luis will nor be returning for the 2024/25 season.