Sporting Kansas City’s search for a dynamic replacement for Krisztian Nemeth has come up dry since the Hungarian left for Qatar before the start of the 2016 season. The club hopes the quest for life on the wing is over with the signing of 25-year-old Gerso Fernandes.
The Guinea-Bissau international was announced as Sporting KC’s latest designated player on Wednesday after weeks of speculation. Fernandes comes to Sporting from Belenenses in Portugal. He spent a total of six years plying his trade in the Portuguese league. Fernandes is signed through the 2019 season with an option for 2020.
“Gerso is a player who has been on our radar over the past few years,” Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes said. “Once he became available during this window, acquiring him became a priority for us. He is a dynamic winger that can play on either side of the field and the fact that he played a similar formation to ours in Portugal will only help his transition into our team.”
Fernandes is the second player to sign with Sporting KC from outside this offseason. Igor Juliao was brought in on loan before the holidays. Tyler Pasher and Adrian Zendejas were both signed from the club’s USL affiliate Swope Park Rangers.
Aurelien Collin re-signs with New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls brought back a key part of their defense for another year, as Aurelien Collin re-signed with the club on Wednesday. The French defender was out of contract at the end of the 2016 season.
“We are pleased to bring Aurelien back for 2017,” said Red Bulls sporting director Ali Curtis. “Aurelien was an excellent trade last year and he played a pivotal role for us. Many teams were after him so we are all the more happy that we were able to re-sign him.”
Collin came to the Red Bulls in the middle of the 2016 season when the team was facing some struggles. The center back has also played for Sporting Kansas City and Orlando City since joining MLS in 2011.
Orlando City signs left back
Jason Kreis and Orlando City dipped into the lower tiers of U.S. Soccer to acquire a left back to bolster the team’s defensive depth on Wednesday. The Lions signed former Tampa Bay Rowdies left back Victor Giro to a four-year contract.
“He is a young, energetic and skillful player that will give us creativity and versatility up the left side,” Lions general manager Niki Budalic said.
The left-sided player scored nine goals and five assists in his time in the NASL with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Tampa Bay Rowdies. He started his career in the Corinthians system in Brazil before moving to the States.