Friday, 18 March 2005 4:06 PM
South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of forward Fernando Moraes from Brazil.
Moraes bolsters an SMFC squad that is surprising many in football circles and sits a game clear at the top of the Vodafone Premier League table.
The 25 year old attacking mid fielder, joins South from Brazilian club Palestra Sao Bernado and is set to add some Samba flair to Bob Jane Stadium.
On how and why a player from the world’s most famous football hot bed came to join the blue and white in Australia, Moraes tells an incredible story.
“I saw South Melbourne play in the World Club Championships in Brazil back in 2000 against some of the biggest sides in the world.
From there I always wanted to play for the club”.
SMFC Coach John Anastasiadis was a member of that famous side which played in Rio and inspired his new signing to make the trek across the Pacific.
He is pleased to be adding another string to his mid field bow. “Fernando comes from a place known for its flash and brilliance, and we hope that some of that can be put on show throughout the 2005 season”, says the South boss.
Moraes has been training with the rest of the SMFC squad for a few weeks now and could make his debut as early as this weekend against South’s long time NSL rivals, the Melbourne Knights.
Name: Fernando Moraes
DOB: 21/01/80
Pos: MFD / FWD
Shirt No: 15
Last Club: PSB Palestra Sao Bernado (Brazil)
Nationality: Brazilian
Height: 181cm