*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:04, 30 May 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:46, 12 October 2023 (UTC)
Born in
Lisbon and of Cape Verdean descent,[2] Varela joined local club
S.L. Benfica's youth system at the age of 11. On 22 September 2012, whilst still a junior, he made his professional debut, appearing for
the reserves in a 2–0 away win against
C.D. Aves in the
Segunda Liga.[3]
From
2013 to
2015, with the team still in the second division, Varela was the undisputed starter. His competitive input with the main squad consisted of nine
bench appearances, the first of which occurred on 29 August 2011 in a
Primeira Liga match at
C.D. Nacional when he was just 16 years old.[4]
On 2 July 2016, Varela left Benfica and signed with fellow top-flight side
Vitória F.C. until June 2021.[8] He made his debut in the competition on 21 August on his return to the
Estádio da Luz, a 1–1 draw against the reigning champions.[9]
On 16 September 2017, Varela committed a blunder which resulted in a 2–1 away defeat against
Boavista FC.[15] He was quickly deemed surplus to requirements by manager
Rui Vitória, with the club acquiring
Mile Svilar and
Odisseas Vlachodimos in the following weeks;[16] however, after the former went down with
influenza and the latter was only due to arrive in January, he was made the starter again,[17] notably receiving Player of the match accolades in a 0–0 away draw with
FC Porto.[18]
Mainly a reserve player during his tenure in
Amsterdam,[22] Varela made his competitive debut for Ajax on 22 January 2020 in the 7–0 home demolition of
SV Spakenburg in the
round of 16 of the
KNVB Cup.[23] His first league match occurred four days later, in a 2–1 away loss against
FC Groningen.[24]
Vitória Guimarães
On 19 August 2020, Varela returned to Portugal and joined
Vitória S.C. on a four-year deal.[25][26] He missed the start of his
second season due to a right thigh tear, during which
Matouš Trmal had a run in the team.[27] In May 2023, he signed a new contract until 2026.[28]
^"Varela feliz sem vinganças" [Varela happy without vengeance]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 22 August 2016.
Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
^"Bruno Varela de regresso" [Bruno Varela is back] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 2 July 2017. Archived from
the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
^"Benfica derrotado no Bessa" [Benfica defeated at the Bessa] (in Portuguese).
TSF. 16 September 2017.
Archived from the original on 25 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
^Sanches, João (26 January 2019).
"Bruno Varela emprestado ao Ajax" [Bruno Varela loaned to Ajax] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica.
Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
^"Ajax huurt doelman Varela van Benfica" [Ajax get goalkeeper Varela on loan from Benfica] (in Dutch). AFC Ajax. 26 January 2019.
Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
^"Bruno Varela chegou a Guimarães" [Bruno Varela arrived in Guimarães]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 19 August 2020.
Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
^"Portugal vence e garante quartos de final" [Portugal win and confirm quarter-finals] (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. 7 August 2016.
Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
^"Portugal assegura primeiro lugar" [Portugal confirm first place] (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. 10 August 2016.
Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
^"Bruno Varela chamado" [Bruno Varela called] (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. 9 October 2020.
Archived from the original on 10 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.