FC Dallas signs Colombian midfielder/forward David Ferreira

by PegNews wire

FC Dallas General Manager Michael Hitchcock today announced the signing of Colombian midfielder / forward David Ferreira, who becomes the third player loaned to FCD from Brazilian partner Clube Atletico Paranaense, joining current Dallas midfielder Andre Rocha (2008-present) and Ricardinho (2007-2008). Ferreira will join the team for preseason training at Atletico Paranaense’s training facility in Curitiba, Brazil from February 26-March 6, and will return to Dallas and be eligible for regular season selection upon receipt of his visa. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We’re very excited to be able to add a player of Ferreira’s ability and experience,” said FC Dallas General Manager Michael Hitchcock. “If you look at the majority of teams who have won the MLS Cup, they’ve had a true number 10; an attacking midfielder who can be a real game-changer. In David Ferreira, we have a player who has played at the highest level with the Colombian national team, been one of the top players for Atletico Paranaense in the Brazilian first division, and now we look forward to bringing him to FC Dallas, where we think he’ll be able to help take this team to the next level and contend for a championship.”

Born in Santa Marta, Colombia, Ferreira is a member of the Colombian national team, having most recently represented his country in an October 11, 2008 World Cup Qualifier versus Paraguay. He was also a part of the Colombia team that won the CONMEBOL Copa America in 2001, in addition to participating in the 2004 and 2007 editions of the competition.

The 29-year-old joined Clube Atletico Paranaense in 2005, where he has started 175 games (out of 179), scoring 38 goals and adding 42 assists. While with the Brazilian first division club, Ferreira faced FC Dallas on March 7, 2007 in the first-ever USA-Brazil Challenge game in Curitiba, Brazil. From February to June 2008, he spent time on loan to Dubai club Al-Shabab, making 12 appearances on the way to winning the United Arab Emirates league title, before returning to Atletico Paranaense.

“David Ferreira is one of the players we identified very early in our search for a number 10,” said FC Dallas Head Coach Schellas Hyndman. “I saw him for the first time about three years ago when I was doing a coaching course in Brazil. Atletico Paranaense was very excited about this player that they had picked up from Colombia, so I have been following his career and he’s been a steady player and a difference-maker for them. Not only is he a gifted, talented central midfielder but he has also played many times at second forward. He is an all-around team player; plays on both sides of the ball; is very technical; has great vision; and we’re hoping he can raise us to a new level.”

Ferreira began his professional career with Colombian Primera B club Expreso Rojo in 1997. Two years later, he moved within the country’s second division to Real Cartagena, and won the league title. Ferreira then joined first division (Copa Mustang) club America de Cali in 2000, where he would win three consecutive league championships (2000-2002), before moving to Atletico Paranaense in 2005.

FC Dallas and Clube Atletico Paranaense have worked together as partner clubs since September 2006, an agreement that includes among other elements, the USA-Brazil Challenge; the opportunity to loan players to each other; the opportunity for Dallas to conduct preseason training at Atletico Paranaense’s world-class training facilities; and the exchange of best practices in all areas of business, sport, and youth structures. In 2008, Atletico Paranaense product Rocha led FCD with eight assists and was an MLS Newcomer of the Year nomination in his first season in the league.

FCD will kick off the 2009 Major League Soccer season on March 21 versus the Chicago Fire at Pizza Hut Park (7:30 p.m. CT).

Source: FC Dallas Communications