DAYTON, OH - March 5, 2014 - With the FIFA World Cup in Brazil just months away, the Dayton Dutch Lions have added their own infusion of Brazilian talent with the signings of defender Matheus Diovany Pechim Dos Santos and forwards Jackson Beckham Diego Socrates da Silva de Jesus and Guilherme Ribeiro Felix.
"Matheus brings a wealth of experience even at a young age,” Dayton Dutch Lions head coach Sid van Druenen remarked. “His experience as a Brazilian youth international and in the Netherlands with Eredivisie club VVV will only help us and his physical presence and technical ability will fit right in with our style of play.”
The Coritiba, Brazil native joins the USL PRO side from VVV Venlo. He also has previous experience with the Brazil youth national team and Coritiba FC.
“I thought this would be a great opportunity for my career,” Dos Santos added. “I think this step in my career will help me get to where I want to go and I am looking forward to my time in Dayton.”
The new signing will wear the number 4 for the Dutch Lions and can be found on Twitter @matheusdiovany.
Jackson Beckham spent several years with Italian side ACF Fiorentina, attracting the attention of EPL clubs like Chelsea and West Ham. He was under a youth contract with the Serie A side from 2007-2010 before earning a professional contract for 2010-2013.
"Beckham is a very technical player that can play on the wing and attacking midfielder,” van Druenen added. “Despite his young age he brings three years of experience at the highest European level at ACF Fiorentina in Italy and I expect him to become an important part of our offensive strategies this season."
The Araguaina, Brazil native is just 19 years old. He is already being called one of the top international prospects to ever play in USL PRO.
Felix is a 23-year-old forward that hails from Uberaba, Brazil. His career includes time with Brazilian sides Trieste FC, Goias Esporte Clube, and Atletico Mogi. He also had a stint with Metalurg Z in Ukraine, but is best known for his time at Coritiba FC in Brazil, where he played from 2008-2010.
"Guilherme is a very strong and technical target striker that fits perfectly in our playing style,” van Druenen added. “He is one of the many options we will have to play up top, giving us the possibility to change things around and bring up the competitive level at training."
Matheus and Felix share a common bond as former Coritiba players. It is a well-known club in Brazil, one that has produced world-class footballers as Adriano (FC Barcelona), Rafinha (Bayern Munich), and Alexsandro de Souza (Fenerbahce and Parma).