Washington, D.C. - D.C. United announced today the team has finalized the signing of Brazilian midfielder Fred Carreiro (full name: Helbert Frederico Carreiro da Silva). The 27-year old will be known, as many Brazilians are, simply as Fred. He will take up the third of United's four available Senior International slots. Per Major League Soccer policy, the terms of the deal will not be released publicly.
"We are very pleased to have concluded a deal to have Fred join D.C. United," said United Technical Director Dave Kasper. "He is coming off an outstanding season in Australia, where he was instrumental in Melbourne's terrific season, and we are excited about his ten years of top level playing experience in Brazil. Fred has terrific athletic and technical qualities, and has proven to be a dynamic attacking player. He will be an excellent fit with our style of play, and we look forward to his immediate availability for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup and for the start of the MLS regular season."
Fred joins United coming off of a double championship in his first and only season with Melbourne Victory FC of Australia's Hyundai A-League. Fred notched four goals and nine assists for the Victory during the 2006-07 campaign and dished out four assists in the A-League Grand Final, which the Victory won 6-0. On March 7, the Brazilian playmaker was named A-League Co-Player of the Year. Prior to playing in Australia, he spent ten seasons with Brazilian club America-MG, where he scored 20 goals in 80 appearances. At America-MG, Fred played alongside Gilberta Silva, a current star in the English Premier League at Arsenal. While in Brazil, Fred also spent time with Guarani.
"We have high expectations for Fred as he joins us at United," said United Managing Partner Will Chang. "With eight goals in three Champions' Cup matches this season, we have proven attacking capabilities. Fred is a player whom we believe will excel alongside our many other talented players. Kevin Payne, Dave Kasper and Tommy Soehn have all worked exceptionally hard to make this signing a reality and I commend them for their foresight and dogged determination."
At present, Fred is training with his new club in Guadalajara, Mexico and will be available for selection in United's return match with CD Guadalajara in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. The Black-and-Red are set to kick-off against the 11-time Mexican league champions at 9:30 p.m. ET Tuesday, April 3 in one of the most highly-anticipated matches in club history. Following a 1-1 draw with CD Guadalajara on March 15 at RFK Stadium, D.C. United must win on the road to advance to the finals of the prestigious event. D.C. United last captured the Champions' Cup title in 1998.
