York9 FC have added yet another international attacker, announcing on Wednesday that they've signed Brazilian striker Jacó to a multi-year contract. The 24-year-old, whose full name is Carlos Alberto Guimaraes Filho, arrives in York Region after spending most of his career to date in his native Brazil at a variety of clubs. He played most recently for Iporá in the local Campeonato Goiano Second Division, with seven appearances to his name already in 2020. Last season, Jacó spent his time on loan from Brazilian Série A side Goiás at a pair of clubs, Juazeirense and Serra Macaense. After beginning his career at the academy of Bahia, he moved around several times, including a brief stint in the Bulgarian second division at Oborishte. RELATED READING: CPL pre-season roster tracker: How each team is shaping up "Jacó is a player who we believe will have a big impact and establish himself as a fan favourite," York9 managing consultant Angus McNab said. "He’s been involved at major clubs in Brazil and logged playing time in both Série A and B. We are working through the process of getting his work permit sorted so he will join up with us after a few more games in Brazil." McNab added: "He's playing well with Iporá right now and we're looking forward to welcoming him to the club in time for the start of the season next month." The six-foot striker will join York9's pre-season camp as soon as he receives his international transfer certificate and Canadian work permit. He'll join a roster that already has a wealth of new attacking talent, including fellow international strikers Gabriel Vasconcelos (a fellow Brazilian), Peruvian Adrián Ugarriza, and Jamaican Nicholas Hamilton. Jacó is the Nine Stripes' sixth international player heading into the 2020 season, joining the above three as well as returning Japanese midfielder Wataru Murofushi and new left-back Fugo Segawa, also from Japan. CPL clubs are allowed seven international players on their roster. As it stands, York9 has 20 players signed for the upcoming season, with their two U SPORTS draft picks — Stefan Karajovanovic and Isaiah Johnston — also hoping to win contracts.

Continue reading...