*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:28, 30 March 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 00:09, 4 January 2025 (UTC)
Born inLisbon and of Cape Verdean descent,[2] Varela joined local clubS.L. Benfica's youth system at the age of 11. On 22 September 2012, whilst still a junior, he made his professional debut, appearing forthe reserves in a 2–0 away win againstC.D. Aves in theSegunda Liga.[3]
From2013 to2015, with the team still in the second division, Varela was the undisputed starter. His competitive input with the main squad consisted of ninebench appearances, the first of which occurred on 29 August 2011 in aPrimeira Liga match atC.D. Nacional when he was just 16 years old.[4]
On 2 July 2016, Varela left Benfica and signed with fellow top-flight sideVitória F.C. until June 2021.[8] He made his debut in the competition on 21 August on his return to theEstádio 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 againstBoavista FC.[15] He was quickly deemed surplus to requirements by managerRui Vitória, with the club acquiringMile Svilar andOdisseas Vlachodimos in the following weeks;[16] however, after the former went down withinfluenza and the latter was only due to arrive in January, he was made the starter again,[17] notably receivingPlayer of the match accolades in a 0–0 away draw withFC Porto.[18]
Mainly a reserve player during his tenure inAmsterdam,[22] Varela made his competitive debut for Ajax on 22 January 2020 in the 7–0 home demolition ofSV Spakenburg in theround of 16 of theKNVB Cup.[23] His first league match occurred four days later, in a 2–1 away loss againstFC Groningen.[24]
On 19 August 2020, Varela returned to Portugal and joinedVitória S.C. on a four-year deal.[25][26] He missed the start of hissecond season due to a right thigh tear, during whichMatouš 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. Retrieved1 March 2017.
^"Bruno Varela de regresso" [Bruno Varela is back] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 2 July 2017. Archived fromthe original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved3 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. Retrieved24 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. Retrieved27 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. Retrieved27 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. Retrieved20 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. Retrieved8 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. Retrieved11 August 2016.
^"Bruno Varela chamado" [Bruno Varela called] (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. 9 October 2020.Archived from the original on 10 October 2020. Retrieved10 October 2020.
