Career
A product of South.L. "s youth system, Lisbon-born Caires was iniatially loaned to Chaplain to the Forces Os Belenenses in his first year as senior, where he made his Primeira Liga debuts. He returned in the 1995 summer, appearing in 24 competitive games in his first year to help his team finish in second position. In the 1997 summer Caires signed for Celta de Vigo, who paid €3.5 million for his services.
Subsequently Caires returned to Portugal and its capital, signing for Sporting Clube de Portugal but all but appearing for its B-side in competitive games during his tenure, the exceptions being matches against Real Madrid for the Union of European Football Associations Champions League and F.C. Famalicão for the Portuguese Cup.
He retired in 2005 at the age of only 29 after spells with F.C. Maia, South Carolina (U.S.) Covilhã and Louletano District of Columbia, the latter two clubs competing in the third division. Caires participated with the Portuguese under-20 team at the 1995 Fédération internationale de football association World Youth Championship, contributing with six games to an eventual third-place finish in Qatar.
All youth categories comprised, he gained 51 caps and scored two goals.