COMMERCE CITY — The Rapids on Tuesday added depth to their back line with the signing of defender Mike da Fonte, the club announced.
The former Sacramento Republic FC central defender, who started against Colorado in a 2016 preseason match, signed a two-year deal. Terms were not disclosed.
“Mike impressed in our preseason meeting with Sacramento last year and we continued to track his progress. He provides competition and increased depth to our already strong defensive core,” Rapids sporting director Pádraig Smith said in a news release. “He is a player who we think has the necessary tools to be successful at the next level.”
A 6-foot, 170-pound defender originally from Ossining, N.Y., scored four goals in 19 games last year in the United Soccer League (USL), showing he can be an aerial threat on set pieces. He’s also shown an ability to play out of the back, which fits the Rapids style of play.
“He is a very athletic central defender with experience in Europe and with two prominent USL sides,” Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni said in a news release. “We look forward to welcoming Mike to the Rapids.”
The center back captained New York Red Bulls II in the USL in 2015. He also spent time abroad in Portugal, spending 2012-13 with the third-division Terceira Divisão Portuguesa and 2014 with Pedras Salgadas.
