FRISCO - FC Dallas has signed defender Bressan from Brazilian first-division side Grêmio, the club announced today. Who is the 25-year-old? Here are five things you need to know:
VERSATILE AT THE BACK
As a right-footed defender who naturally plays at the left center back position, Bressan is able to play at any of the four positions on the back line. Over the course of his career, he’s seen time at each spot and could prove to be a versatile weapon in the defensive face.
CENTURY MARK
Since signing for Grêmio ahead of the 2013 campaign, Bressan has played in 103 first-division matches and 41 matches across other domestic tournaments. The defender had a resurgent 2017 season, reaching double digits in Serie A games played for the first time since 2014. He’s continued his success in 2018, appearing in 21 of his team’s 37 league matches with a goal and three assists.
Over the last five years, Bressan has played in 13 Copa Libertadores matches, including starting in Leg Two of the 2017 Final, in which Grêmio won its third CONMEBOL club title.
FAMILIAR FACE
There’s more in common than just nationality for Dallas’ two Brazilian defenders now under contract. Back in 2014, Marquinhos Pedroso and Bressan were teammates at Grêmio and the mid-season addition for Dallas played a small role in FCD’s newest acquisition.
For five months, Pedroso was on loan with Bressan’s long-time club from Figueirense, playing in just one match. It was Bressan’s last season as a consistent starter for the club until his re-emergence in 2017.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
In Leg Two of his club’s Copa Libertadores semifinal meeting with River Plate earlier this year, Bressan was called for a handball in the box in the 95th minute with Grêmio holding a 2-1 aggregate lead in the series. River Plate would convert the ensuing PK and advance from the 2-2 series deadlock on away goals.
Ostracized in his own city after the match, FC Dallas came calling at just the right time to sign the Brazilian team’s second-leading defender in minutes played this season.
DUAL CITIZEN
Born in Brazil but holding Italian citizenship through his parents, Bressan is eligible to play for either country at the national level. The defender has made four appearances for Brazil’s U-23 team at the 2015 Pan-American Games in Canada, but has not appeared for either nation outside of that.
