The Chicago Fire acquired centre-back Marcelo dos Santos Ferreira from Portuguese first-division club Sporting CP, the Major League Soccer team announced on Thursday.
Marcelo is under contract for the 2019 and 2020 MLS seasons and will be added to the Fire’s roster pending the completion of a physical and receipt of his international transfer certificate.
The Fire did not announce the transfer fee.
Marcelo, a 29-year-old Brazilian, played the past eight seasons in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. He made 172 appearances (171 starts), primarily playing for Rio Ave FC (2011-18).
“Marcelo will add necessary leadership along our back line,” Fire president and general manager Nelson Rodriguez said in a statement. “He is a smart defender who participates in every phase of the game. He is known as a solid teammate and he is driven to win, which fits our locker room well.”