ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced on Wednesday the club had completed the signing of midfielder Leo Fernandes, pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, further contract details were not disclosed.

Fernandes, 25, joins the Rowdies after spending last season in Major League Soccer with the Philadelphia Union and on loan in the USL with Bethlehem Steel FC. Fernandes had been with the Union since 2013, but was sent on loan multiple times including to the Harrisburg City Islanders in 2013 and 2014, and the New York Cosmos in 2015.

While with New York, Fernandes was selected as the league’s Young Player of the Year. That season, he played in 28 matches, scoring eight goals and tallying three assists while helping New York claim the league championship.

“Leo is a player that we’ve been watching for a while because he was so impressive for the Cosmos in 2015,” Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell said. “He’s bounced around a bit with a few loan spells, but we’re excited to see what he can do for the Rowdies. He’s a quick player that gives us width and he can pop up and score a few goals, too, which is always nice.”

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Born in São Paulo, Brazil, but raised in New York, Fernandes played his college career at Stony Brook University from 2009 to 2012, where he earned the title of the Seawolves’ all-time leading points-scorer. Fernandes made his mark for the Union in 2014, scoring twice in 13 appearances, but again spent part of the season on loan with the City Islanders.

After his impressive 2015 showing with the Cosmos, Fernandes rejoined the Union in 2016, and split time between the MLS side and the Union’s USL team, Bethlehem Steel FC. Fernandes made 12 appearances for the Union last year and 14 (all starts) for the Steel. He scored one goal for Bethlehem.