Union Sign Midfielder Jamiro Monteiro
The Philadelphia Union acquired Dutch-born Cape Verdean midfielder Jamiro Monteiro from French club FC Metz on loan.
According to Philadelphia Union Communications, “The deal is structured as a four-month loan through June including a Union option to both extend the loan through the 2019 MLS season as well as an additional Union option to then buy. Targeted Allocation Money was used as part of the transaction. Monteiro will be added to the Union’s active roster following receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 Visa and will occupy an international roster slot.”
Monteiro has plenty of notable experience throughout his professional soccer career as he has over he has over 90 appearances with Cambuur from 2015-2017, Heracles Almelo from 2017-2018, and FC Metz from 2018-.
??Union acquire midfielder Jamiro Monteiro from @FCMetz on loan.
Send some ? and welcome Jamiro to the squad!
Learn more ?http://t.co/m5rs3eWOm5#DOOP | #ThisIsPhilly pic.twitter.com/VQi0Rmbodt
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) March 5, 2019
Jamiro Monteiro began his senior career in 2015-16 when he signed with Dutch club SC Cambuur-Leeuwarden. He earned 20 Eredivisie appearances that season and then notched 36 second-division appearances for the club in 2016-17. Monteiro is 25 years old and joins the Philadelphia Union from French Ligue 2 side FC Metz, a club that he joined just last summer. He has made three league appearances for FC Metz and an additional three cup appearances for the French side.
Prior to moving to France, Monteiro played the duration of his professional career in the Netherlands, which is the country of his birth. He played for topflight Dutch club Heracles Almelo, as he appeared in 34 Eredivisie games in 2017-18, while scoring four times and assisting on three goals throughout the season. Internationally, Monteiro plays for Cape Verde, which is the country of his parents’ heritage. He has recorded five caps for the international side Cape Verde, as he debuted in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification in 2016. Stats and information via Philadelphia Union Communications.
Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner spoke on behalf of the signing by stating, “We have had our eye on Jamiro for some time and we are pleased to complete this deal to bring him to Philadelphia. He is a relentless box-to-box midfielder who we believe fits well into our tactical parameters for a central midfielder. We look forward to integrating him into the squad as quickly as possible with the young season just underway.”
“Photo: philadelphiaunion.com”
Standing at 5’7” and weighing in at 137 pounds, Monteiro has proven that he can get up and down the field with his quick pace and skill on the ball. He has also shown that he is a fantastic goalscorer and distributor as he can work his way out of tough spaces with his phenomenal skill and expertise on the ball. He can play at any positions of the diamond and has shown his defensive prowess and ability to track attacking players all throughout his career. Monteiro may see game action in either this week or next week if central defensive midfielder Haris Medunjanin cannot step up and fulfill his duties at that position.
In Saturday’s home opener, it was evident that Medunjanin could not compete at the final line of defense, right in front of the Union defenders, as he was often lazy and missed many assignment which led his mark to scores two goals. Tanner and the Union felt it was the right time to make a signing at that position and give Medunjanin some competition moving forward. All in all, Monteiro is a very hard worker and motivated player with great technique that always wants to win and will give everything to the club as he has a fantastic work ethic along with being a great teammate.
Here are Monteiro’s highlights with Heracles Almelo in the Dutch Premier League in 2017-2018.
Here are a few fun facts about Jamiro Monteiro. Monteiro was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands but has international experience with Cape Verde. His latest call-up with Tubarões Azuis (the Blue Sharks) came last September against Lesotho. Monteiro measures in at 5’7”, which is the same height as new Union teammates Fabinho and Marco Fabián. His nickname is “Lutador” which means warrior or fighter. Monteiro uses the nickname so that fans know that he is a player that never gives up.
This is Jamiro’s first time in Philadelphia as he is also a big fan of rapper Meek Mill and would like to meet him one day. Welcome to Philadelphia, Jamiro! The fans and organization alike are glad to have you on board moving forward. DOOP!
Click here to watch an interview of Jamiro Monteiro, manager Jim Curtin, and Sporting Director Ernst Tanner as they all speak about the deal, just a week into the 2019 MLS season. Below are also links for the full announcement of the signing and some fast facts on Monteiro.
Featured Image: philadelphiaunion.com
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