Sporting Kansas City announced Friday that the club has acquired 22-year-old Brazilian defender Igor Julião on loan from Fluminense FC through 2017. Julião will occupy an international spot on Sporting Kansas City’s roster when his year-long loan begins on Jan. 1.
"Igor is a player we are very familiar with and eager to welcome back," Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. "He showed a lot of promise with us in 2014, and we look forward to integrating him back to our team when he joins us next month for preseason."
Julião previously played for Sporting Kansas City in 2014, recording three assists in 26 starts across all competitions during his loan from prestigious Brazilian club Fluminense FC. The right back made 23 MLS appearances, tallying assists in wins versus Columbus Crew SC and Chivas USA, and played three additional matches in the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League group stage.
"I am very happy to return to Sporting KC," Julião said. "I loved my time playing in this city in front of the great fans. I know Sporting KC has a strong team that can compete for championships, and I'm excited to be a part of it."
Since returning to Fluminense FC at the end of 2014, Julião has been loaned to three teams in his native Brazil. He split time in 2015 between ABC Futebol Clube and Macaé, appearing nine times in the Série B, then played 12 matches during the first half of 2016 with Ferroviária in the Campeonato Paulista.
Julião rejoined Fluminense this summer, logging five Série A appearances in Brazil’s top division. He has been a part of the club since 2003, when he joined Fluminense’s academy as an 8-year-old. After nine years of development in their youth system, Julião made his Série A debut in 2012 at age 17. He played three games during his first professional season as Fluminense FC won its fourth league title in the club’s 114-year history.
In 2013, Julião enjoyed a breakout campaign that saw him make 22 total appearances for the reigning Série A champions. That same year, he was selected to Brazil’s Under-20 Men’s National Team and played three matches at the South American Youth Championship in Argentina.
Julião’s youth career at Fluminense was highlighted by back-to-back state championships in 2012 and 2013. In February 2014 he started four games for Fluminense FC’s U-23s at the Disney Pro Soccer Classic in Florida, which included a defeat to Sporting Kansas City.
For a full list of Sporting Kansas City’s offseason roster moves, visit SportingKC.com/tracker.
Transaction: Sporting Kansas City (MLS) acquires defender Igor Juliao on loan from Fluminense FC (Brazil) through 2017.
VITALS
Igor Juliao (EE-gore ZHOO-lee-ow)
Position: Defender
Number: TBD
Born: 8/23/1994
Height: 5-8
Weight: 145 lbs.
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Citizenship: Brazil
Previous club: Fluminense FC
Twitter: @IgorJuliao2
Instagram: igorjuliao2
