Sporting Kansas City signs Gerso Fernandes

There have been rumors swirling about Sporting Kansas City and a couple different players. One of those rumors can be be put away as they have made it official, Sporting Kansas City announced they have signed Gerso Fernandes as a Designated Player. The 25-year-old winger is transferred from Portuguese club C.F. Os Belenenses. Sporting KC has signed him through 2019 with an option for 2020.

"Gerso is a player who has been on our radar over the past few years," Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said via press release. "Once he became available during this window, acquiring him became a priority for us. He is a dynamic winger that can play on either side of the field and the fact that he played a similar formation to ours in Portugal will only help his transition into our team."

Originally from Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, Fernandes moved to Portugal at an early age. At just 11 he trained with C.F. União de Coimbra in 2002 and later moved to nearby Académica de Coimbra. from 2009-2010 before going on loan to G.D. Tourizense, where he scored three goals across 25 games in his first professional season.

The left-footed Fernandes has made 14 league appearances (9 starts) for Belenenses since August with four assists and a game-winning goal against Maritimo on Dec. 10.

Sporting Kansas City has lacked in true wingers, especially ones with speed. Fernandes does seem to fill that role of speedy winger that can get the ball down field quickly and get a cross in but has not put the ball in the net a lot himself.

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