Minnesota United FC announced the signing of defensive midfielder Fernando Bob (née Fernando Paixão da Silva). The 30 year-old journeyman was out of contract and had previously spent his entire professional career in Brazil. Having played for eight different clubs, Bob most recently made 19 league appearances for Associação Atlética Ponte Preta in 2017 during a campaign that saw Macaca relegated from Brazil’s Série A.
The Brazilian will occupy an international spot on MNUFC’s roster as is set to join the team upon receipt of his Visa and International Transfer Certificate.
Per a press release, it was noted that Bob made his way onto Minnesota Head Coach Adrian Heath’s radar during a May 2, 2015 friendly between Ponte Preta and Orlando City back when Heath was coaching the latter.
“I’ve known about him for quite a long time,” said Heath. “We tried to bring him to Orlando and he’s someone we’ve kept in touch with ever since.”
Minnesota began the season using a 4-2-3-1 formation, but has since adopted a 3-5-2 in large part to compensate for the absence of a true No. 6 in its lineup. With midfielders like Ibson, Rasmus Schüller, Collen Warner and Collin Martin all best-cast as No. 8s, the Loons have had to pack the center of the field with a trio of central midfielders in an attempt to shore up their defense.
Another Brazilian defensive midfeilder, Luiz Fernando Ferreira — more commonly known as Maximiano — had been acquired on loan with an option to purchase back in February, but has so far failed to stake a claim in the Loons’ starting XI, playing just 147 minutes in league games.
Should Bob prove up to the task of playing as a No. 6 in MLS, it would give Heath added flexibility to return to his preferred 4-2-3-1.
“I think Fernando Bob is a really skilled player. He’s a good central midfielder who likes to sit in front of the back four,” said Sporting Director Manny Lagos. “We’re excited to add him to the team as we go for this final push to end the year.”
Heath added: “We think that at this moment in time, for his age, for his experience, it’s a really good pickup and an opportunity between now and the end of the season to see what we do with this. I’m hoping he can come in and give everybody a lift, which his ability should do.”