Eric Fernando Botteghin (born 31 August 1987) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Portuguesa.
Botteghin played in the youth academies of Palmeiras and Grêmio Barueri, but was also loaned out to Internacional for one season. In January 2007, after impressing in a youth tournament in Groningen, he moved to Dutch side FC Zwolle.
Botteghin made his professional debut on 26 January 2007, starting in a 4âÂÂ1 Eerste Divisie home routing of FC Eindhoven. He scored his first goal on 23 February, in a 2âÂÂ1 home win over Stormvogels Telstar, and established himself as a regular starter afterwards.
On 31 March 2011, Botteghin agreed to join Eredivisie side NAC Breda, effective as of 1 July. He made his debut in the category on 14 August, coming on as a half-time substitute for Kees Luijckx in a 2âÂÂ1 away loss to Heracles Almelo.
Botteghin scored his first goal in the top tier of Dutch football on 28 October 2011, netting the opener in a 3âÂÂ1 home win over VVV-Venlo. He then became an undisputed starter for the side, contributing with 32 league matches in both seasons.
On 28 June 2013, Botteghin moved to fellow top tier side FC Groningen, after the club paid ⬠650,000 for his transfer. He helped the Green-White Army win the KNVB Cup in 2014âÂÂ15 against defending champions PEC Zwolle; it was their first major trophy and they qualified for the UEFA Europa League.
On 13 August 2015, Botteghin signed a four-year contract with Feyenoord, for a rumoured fee of ⬠2.5 million. A backup option, he became a first-choice in January 2016, but suffered a knee injury in September 2017; he still signed a new deal until 2020 in November of that year.
Back to action in January 2018, Botteghin played with the under-23s to regain match fitness, before returning to first team duties in February. On 22 April 2018, he played as Feyenoord won the 2017âÂÂ18 KNVB Cup final 3âÂÂ0 against AZ Alkmaar.
In 2019, Botteghin became the captain of Feyenoord, and signed a one-year contract extension with the club on 22 July 2020, keeping him at the club until 2021. He left them after the 2020âÂÂ21 season, after his contract was not extended.
On 3 August 2021, Botteghin moved to Italy after nearly 14 years, and signed a two-year contract with Serie B side Ascoli. He immediately became a starter, and was a team captain during the 2023âÂÂ24 season.
On 17 July 2024, Botteghin moved to fellow second division side Modena on a one-year deal. After only five matches, he left after his contract expired.
On 21 November 2025, after nearly two decades in Europe, Botteghin returned to his home country and joined Portuguesa.
Botteghin is a Brazilian with Italian ancestry; his paternal great-grandfather was originally from Treviso and moved to Brazil during the World War II. Due to that, he is also an Italian citizen through jus sanguinis.
Groningen
Feyenoord