Gilberto dos Santos Souza Junior, known as “Gilberto” was signed by Philadelphia Union on August 2, 2013. Gilberto brings upside and potential to the Union midfield, as the 24-year-old has garnered previous experience in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Brazil’s top professional league.
Philadelphia will be Gilberto's first club experience outside of his native Brazil. The Serrinha native has suited up for seven different Brazilian clubs in his career, including Atlético Mineiro in 2011. He has most recently played for Clube Atlético Sorocaba, making 16 appearances while recording one goal in the Campeonato Paulista, São Paolo’s highest division of professional soccer.
2013: Made 16 appearances for Atlético Sorocaba, including notching his first professional goal … notched 1,292 minutes on the pitch, his most minutes played for any one club.
2012: Split his time between two Brazilian clubs in Série B, América Mineiro and Clube de Regatas Brasil … earned a runner-up finish in the 2012 Campeonato Mineiro with América Mineiro.
2011: Split his time between two Brazilian clubs, spending the majority of the season at Marcílio Dias in the Campeonato Catarinense, the top-level league of the Brazilian state Santa Catarina … notched six appearances (two starts) in Série A for Atlético Mineiro, playing 232 minutes in Brazil's top-level professional league.
2010: Suited up for Oeste in Série D, starting one match and playing 134 minutes.
2009: Made his professional debut for Mogi Mirim in the Paulista A1, starting three matches and appearing as a substitute in three others.