Sydney FC have announced the signing of Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Lacerda on a one-season loan from Ceará SC.
Lacerda, 24, is a 190cm defender who describes himself as a “strong, fast” player with good heading ability who liked to play out from the back.
Lacerda is a product of the esteemed Palmeiras academy in Brazil, and arrives Down Under to experience his first season of football outside of his homeland.
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Lacerda will begin training with the club immediately and could figure in Sky Blue as early as this Sunday, September 24 when Sydney take on Melbourne City in the Australia Cup semi-finals.
“I did a lot of research looking into the history of the club and I saw it was a very big and successful club which I was excited about,” he said.
“I have a lot of expectations here including to make this a permanent move for myself as I believe we can make history,” he added.
“My motivation is to reach big milestones and win big titles.”
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Lacerda will wear number 15 during his stay in Sydney. He’s just the second men’s player to wear the number at the club after club legend Terry McFlynn who retired in 2014.
“It’s a very special number for me being my father’s birthday and I will wear it with a lot of pride,” he explained.
“It’s a tribute to my father who gave me all the support since childhood.
“I’m very grateful to him and my entire family, so I carry it on my back to honour him for all the effort he gave to help me get here.
“I always give everything to my club with this shirt on my back.”
Sydney FC head coach Steve Corica lauded Lacerda as a defender who will provide plenty of headaches for attacking lines around the A-League Men.
“Gabriel is a tall and powerful centre back and gives us more options at the heart of our defence.
“He reads the game extremely well, he’s aggressive and is quick across the ground so I expect he will be a headache for opposition strikers.
“He is one of five high quality international players we have at the club who complement our fantastic young Australian players and more experienced heads.”
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