Orlando City SC signed right back Ruan Gregório Teixeira to a one-year deal, the club announced on Jan. 16. The Brazilian joins City after playing in 49 matches across Brazil’s Série A and Série B.
“We are very excited to welcome Ruan to Orlando City,” Lions Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi said, per the release. “He is a dependable right back that has excellent speed and is dangerous in his transition on the offensive side of the ball.
“As a club, we continue to provide depth on our roster and build competition within the group as we head into our 2019 preseason.”
The 23-year-old started 2018 with Sport Club Internacional of Série A. He competed in Copa do Brasil and Campeonato Gaúcho competitions. Ruan later joined Associacão Atlética Ponte Preta of Série B on loan and helped the defense to nine clean sheets. He started the team’s final seven matches, recording 17 appearances in total.
In 2017, the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, native played 25 games for Boa Esporte Clube of Série B, helping his side to nine shutouts in his 1,964 minutes of action.
Ruan joins a host of other new young players, as the Lions recently drafted three 21-year-olds and a 22-year-old in the 2019 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.
For more on the Lions, as they prepare for preseason in Bradenton, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
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