Foxborough, Mass. - The New England Revolution announced today that the team has acquired Brazilian midfielder Jose de Abreu Oliveira, known as "Cassio". The Rio de Janeiro-born, left-sided player arrives having played for major clubs including CR Flamengo (Brazil), SC Internacional (Brazil), CD Atlas Guadalajara (Mexico) and Olimpia Asuncion (Paraguay).
"Cassio is a player who immediately adds balance to our team," said
Revolution head coach Steve Nicol. "He has a strong left foot, gets up and
down the line, puts in a good cross and is well-suited for the MLS style of
play."
A product of the youth system at famed CR Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro, Cassio
played four seasons on that club's first team. While with Flamengo, Cassio
won three Carioca (Rio) Championships (1999- 2001), a Copa dos Campeões and
played in the 2001 Copa Mercosur final, which Flamengo lost on penalties to
Argentine side San Lorenzo.
Cassio also played for SC Internacional in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2002 -
winning a Gaúcho Championship with the club that season - and for Atlas in
Mexico's first division (2003) before moving home to Brazil to play for
Marília Atlético Clube. In 2004-05, Cassio played for Olimpia Asuncion in
Paraguay, that nation's most successful club.
"I'm very happy that I'm coming to New England," said Cassio. "I can't wait
to be on the field, playing hard and showing what I can do. I know that
there are a great many Brazilians and Brazilian soccer fans in New England
which makes the transition to a new way of life that much easier."
Per team and league policy, terms of the player's contract with the
Revolution are not disclosed.
