World Cup winner Denilson officially joined FC Dallas on Monday, introduced to the media after participating in a training session for the first time with his new club.
A member of Brazil's fifth world champion team, at Korea/Japan 2002, Denilson last played for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nasr. He is the fourth player in MLS history to have won a World Cup. Before his time in Saudi Arabia, he also played professionally in France, Spain and his native Brazil.
"I hope to fulfill all of the expectations of the coaches, owners and fans," Denilson said. "I also want to thank my teammates for the warm reception they gave me this morning when I met them for the first time. My hope is to put us in position to win championships."
"We've very, very excited to have him," said FCD head coach Steve Morrow. "Obviously, he's a player of immense quality, immense experience and immense ability. We're very, very pleased to have him as part of our team."
For the moment, Denilson has not been officially added to the FCD roster, while the club is awaiting approval of his work visa, a process that takes between five and 10 business days. However, there is an outside chance that Denilson could make his MLS debut as soon as Saturday when the Hoops play D.C. United in Frisco.
"We started this season by creating a team that we wanted everyone to be proud of and think we've accomplished that," FCD president and general manager Michael Hitchcock said. "We want to do one thing and one thing only -- win championships and want to do it in an entertaining manner."
Morrow sees Denilson as likely filling one of two possible roles for the Hoops.
"I think he can fit into a couple of different positions with the way that we play," he said. "It was important for me to replace Ramon Nunez in many ways.
"He's another option at that spot, attacking midfielder and I think he can do that position for us. With us playing with the three forwards, I think he can also play a wide role in the front three. He gives us a couple of different options with the style of play that we have."
Denilson will wear No. 10, the number vacated by Dallas native Nunez when he was traded by FC Dallas to Chivas USA two weeks ago. It's a fitting number since the Brazilian could be playing the same role as Nunez in the FCD attack.
Since 2005, Denilson has played for three different clubs, moving from Bordeaux in France to Al-Nasr to FC Dallas, after spending a nearly continuous eight seasons with Betis. But Morrow said that was not a concern.
"I don't think there's any doubting his quality or his ability," he said. "He's been off the radar now for the last 12 months. We've got every confidence in his touch, play and ability. We believe he's going to make a good contribution to our future here at FC Dallas."
Since Denilson is a senior international, it means that FCD will have to trade or release one of its four current senior internationals: midfielder Pablo Ricchetti, forward Carlos Ruiz, midfielder Marcelo Saragosa or defender Adrian Serioux.
"At this moment in time, we can't comment on that (any possible future moves)," Morrow said. "When the time comes for us to add Denilson to the roster, we will make the move. We've considered everything possible and for me as a coach, that was my biggest headache through all this (who we would have to move)."
Still, for Morrow, the signing of Denilson represents a win-win situation for all parties involved.
"FC Dallas has nothing to lose and a lot to gain from this deal," he said. "We think this could be the start of something special, not just for FC Dallas but also for Major League Soccer."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
