Born in Lisbon, Valente began his career at second division club Portimonense SC, loaned by hometown's Sporting CP. However, he found first-team chances limited at the former side and, despite success in helping win the Portuguese Cup in 1995, he was loaned for the 1996–97 season to C.S. Marítimo also in the Primeira Liga. A young José Mourinho recognized Valente's talent and brought him to U.D. Leiria in the summer of 1999, and he spent three years there always as an undisputed starter. In 2002, when the manager left to join FC Porto, he and teammate Derlei were the first signings, and the former repaid the coach's faith with some good displays as the northerners romped to victory in the national championship and won the UEFA Cup against Celtic. The following campaign, Valente helped his club to Portuguese and Champions League wins, with the defender appearing in 11 games during the latter competition's run, ten of those complete. At the season's closure, he renewed his contract until 2007. After Mourinho signed for Chelsea, Valente picked up a succession of injuries. He only played eight matches in the entire domestic league, but returned in time to face Inter Milan in the Champions League round-of-16, not being able to prevent his team losing 2–4 on aggregate.
Everton
After another poor year, which included an ultimatum by Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa that ordered him to choose between club or national team, eventually leading to a suspension, on 28 August 2005 Valente moved to Everton on a three-year deal worth €2.2 million, under recommendation of mentor Mourinho, after the English had lost regular left-back Alessandro Pistone to injury. He took a while to adapt to the hectic pace of the Premier League, but became a regular from then on – in 2005–06 and 2006–07 he was considered first-choice, but faced stiff competition from Gary Naysmith; in February 2007, the Merseyside club took the option of a one-year extension to his contract, tying him until June of the following year. In early May 2008, Valente signed another one-year link, but he eventually fell down the pecking order at the Toffees, usually backing Leighton Baines. Furthermore, with centre backJoleon Lescott also being able to play the position and with Valente also suffering from injury problems, he received little playing time during 2008–09, being released on 12 June 2009 and choosing to retire from playing after appearing in 60 competitive games in four seasons. Upon his retirement, Valente was appointed Everton's official scout in Portugal. After one year, he returned to main club Sporting and joined Paulo Sérgio's coaching staff.
Coaching
Valente kickstarted his coaching career on 11 October 2017, replacing Fernando Mira at the helm of C.D. Trofense in the Portuguese third division. Less than two months later, after six official matches and five losses, he was fired.
