Sporting Kansas City II announced today that the club has signed 24-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder Vitor Dias to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract.
Dias enjoyed an outstanding three-year college career at Marshall University in West Virginia, winning the 2020 national championship, before turning professional in 2022 and leading St. Louis City SC 2 to the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup. He arrives in Kansas City after tallying six goals and three assists as a rookie in St. Louis.
Born and raised in Brazil, Dias developed in the esteemed youth academy at Sao Paulo FC. He moved to the United States in 2019, joining Marshall for a trophy-laden stint at the NCAA level. The playmaking midfielder made a quick impact with the Thundering Herd, notching three goals and three assists in his first season as Marshall captured the 2019 Conference USA regular season and tournament titles.
The 2020 campaign saw Dias reach unprecedented heights as Marshall won its first NCAA Division I national championship in any sport in school history. He recorded six goals and seven assists as a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American, a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and the Conference USA Player of the Year. Marshall secured victories over Fordham, Clemson, Georgetown, North Carolina and Indiana during their epic NCAA Tournament run with Dias playing an integral role in the attacking midfield position.
In his final collegiate campaign, Dias added five goals and five assists as the Conference USA Co-Midfielder of the Year and a United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-American. He finished his Marshall career with starts in 49 of 54 appearances to go with 14 goals and 15 assists.
After leaving Marshall, Dias was drafted in the third round of the 2022 MLS Super Draft by Vancouver Whitecaps FC. He did not sign with the club and instead joined St. Louis City SC 2, where he quickly settled as one of the club's most impactful players. He finished second on the team with six goals and added three assists in 23 matches across all competitions, propelling St. Louis to the MLS NEXT Cup where they lost to Columbus Crew 2.
With the addition of Dias, Sporting KC II now has 21 players signed to MLS NEXT Pro professional contracts for the 2023 campaign.
Sporting KC II Roster
(Players under MLS NEXT Pro contracts as of April 11, 2023)
- Goalkeepers (1): Ethan Bandre
- Defenders (8): Mo Abualnadi, Aljaz Dzankic, Coby Jones, Mikey Lenis, Nassim Mekideche, Jahon Rad, Lucas Rosa, Diedie Traore
- Midfielders (5): Ethan Bryant, Josh Coan, Sebastian Cruz, Vitor Dias, Enzo Mauriz
- Forwards (7): Bakary Bagayoko, Andrew Draper, Keny Martinez, Yeison Mejia, Amadou Traore, Alenis Vargas, Pau Vidal
Transaction: Sporting Kansas City II signs midfielder Vitor Dias to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract.
VITALS
Vitor Dias (VEE-tor DEE-as)
Position: Midfielder
Born: 4/30/1998 (24 years old)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 160 lbs.
Birthplace: Brasilia, Brazil
Citizenship: Brazil
Twitter: @vitorfdias
Instagram: @vitorfdias
