RENO, Nev. – Reno 1868 FC announced on Friday the club had signed midfielder Luis Fernandes, pending league and federation approval. The 21-year-old is expected to play a key role in midfield.
“Luis is a ball-winning, box to box midfielder, who does a good job at keeping possession,” said 1868 FC Head Coach Ian Russell. “He’s a young talent that we are excited to develop in Reno.”
Born in Mineola, N.Y. to Brazilian parents, Fernandes chose to play for his nation of birth at the international level. He most recently played for the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, for whom he made 31 appearances and notched two assists. Prior to his time with the Strikers, Fernandes played for Cruzeiro Esporte Clube in Brazil. Cruzeiro competes at the highest level of soccer in Brazil as part of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.
Fernandes was an integral part of Cruzeiro’s youth sides that acquired a number of international titles. At 17, he caught the eyes of U.S. scouts when Cruzeiro’s under-17 team lifted the IMG Cup. Fernandes later became a member of the U.S. U20 team under Head Coach Tab Ramos before being signed by the Strikers.
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