The Swope Park Rangers have signed winger Ze Pedro, the club announced today. Ze Pedro, full name José Pedro Ferreira Costa Leite, arrives in Kansas City after spending the early portion of his career in his native Portugal. Ze Pedro will officially be added to the Rangers roster pending league and federation approval.
Ze Pedro, 22, came through the academy at world-renowned powerhouse FC Porto, but never made an appearance for the first team. He was loaned to third-tier side A.D. Sanjoanense in 2015 and again during the 2016-17 season, making 13 appearances and tallying three goals from the left wing. Ze Pedro had a stop with G.D. Gafanha, also in the third-tier Campeonato de Portugal, in 2016.
Ze Pedro joined C.D. Feirense on a permanent transfer in 2017, a club freshly promoted to the Portuguese top-flight ahead of the 2016-17 campaign. He was loaned out to F.C. Felgueiras 1932 in the Campeonato de Portugal for the 2017-18 campaign, netting once in 11 appearances.
In his most recent move prior to joining the Rangers, Ze Pedro joined S.C. Covilhã in the Portuguese second tier at the start of 2019, making six appearances.
The Rangers (3-10-6) are back in action when the side hosts Nashville SC at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday, Aug. 3. All USL Championship games are streamed live on ESPN+, while tickets for home games are available via SeatGeek.com.
VITALS
José Pedro Ferreira Costa Leite “Ze Pedro”
Position: Forward
Born: 1/12/1997 (22 years old)
Height: 5-9
Weight: 175 lbs.
Last Club: S.C. Covilhã (Portugal)
Hometown: São João da Madeira, Portugal
Birthplace: São João da Madeira, Portugal
Citizenship: Portugal
Instagram: @zepedrol29
