FC Dallas signed Colombian midfielder/forward David Ferreira, the Major League Soccer club announced on Tuesday.
“We’re very excited to be able to add a player of Ferreira’s ability and
experience,” FC Dallas General Manager Michael Hitchcock said. “If you look at
the majority of teams who have won the MLS Cup, they’ve had a true number 10;
an attacking midfielder who can be a real game-changer. In David Ferreira, we
have a player who has played at the highest level with the Colombian national
team, been one of the top players for Atletico Paranaense in the Brazilian
first division, and now we look forward to bringing him to FC Dallas, where we
think he’ll be able to help take this team to the next level and contend for a
championship.”
Ferreira becomes the third player loaned to Dallas from its Brazilian partner
Clube Atletico Paranaense, joining current Hoops midfielder Andre Rocha (2008-
present) and Ricardinho (2007-2008). Ferreira will join the team for preseason
training at Atletico Paranaense’s training facility in Brazil from Feb. 26-
March 6, and will return to Dallas and be eligible for regular season
selection upon receipt of his visa.
“David Ferreira is one of the players we identified very early in our search
for a number 10,” FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman said. “I saw him for the
first time about three years ago when I was doing a coaching course in Brazil.
Atletico Paranaense was very excited about this player that they had picked up
from Colombia, so I have been following his career and he’s been a steady
player and a difference-maker for them. Not only is he a gifted, talented
central midfielder but he has also played many times at second forward. He is
an all-around team player; plays on both sides of the ball; is very technical;
has great vision; and we’re hoping he can raise us to a new level.”
The 29-year-old joined Clube Atletico Paranaense in 2005, starting 175 games
while scoring 38 goals and 42 assists. (Sports Network)