Orlando City B Acquires Brazilian Defender on Loan from Partner Club Atlético Paranaense

Orlando City B has acquired Brazilian defender Léo Pereira from Clube Atlético Paranaense on a season-long loan. The loan is the first transaction between the two clubs that formed a partnership in November 2016.

Pereira made eight appearances on loan at Guaratinguetá in 2015 during the Brazilian Serie C season. Last year, the 21-year-old Pereira played most of the 2016 Brazilian Serie B season on loan with Clube Náutico Capibaribe.

“We're really pleased to capture a player of Leo's quality,” OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis said via a club press release. “He can operate as a center back or left back and has great pedigree having played at a good level in Brazil and for the Brazil youth national teams. He's aggressive, reads the game well and is very comfortable in possession. We're really excited to welcome him to our group and start working with him.”

After coming through the Paranaense academy, the Curitiba native has made 32 appearances with 23 starts for his hometown club since 2013. He also made appearances for the Brazilian youth national teams, scoring one goal in five starts during the 2015 U-20 South American Championship. Later that year, he scored one goal during three appearances during the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The partnership between Orlando City and Paranaense will see the sides play a friendly in Orlando in 2017 and a return friendly in Brazil in 2018.