David Woods

david.woods@indystar.com

It would be difficult for anyone to live up to what Indy Eleven leaders have to say about new signee Jose Kleberson. Not when a name like Peyton Manning is brought into an Indianapolis conversation.

But the 34-year-old Brazilian wants to try.

Through a translator, he said in Portuguese that he is excited about "the project" that the Eleven have assigned him — that is, to help the team win a North American Soccer League championship and to grow the sport in Indiana and nationwide. He said he understands that the Eleven are making a big investment in him.

Kleberson, usually referred to by only his last name, was introduced at a news conference Monday at Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse located Downtown. The 5-9, 140-pound midfielder played for the 2002 World Cup champions and was once a midfielder for Manchester United of the English Premier League. His deal is for two years, with terms undisclosed.

Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir called the signing the "latest sign that we're serious" about winning a title and expanding the sport. Coach Juergen Sommer said Kleberson is the type of veteran the Eleven were seeking as a centerpiece and playmaker to elevate younger teammates.

"It's like having Peyton Manning back there, really providing a level of service that will help these guys become better goal-scorers, better finishers," Sommer said. "So all around, it's a great move. I didn't think we'd be entertaining somebody of this quality so soon. I'm a little bit star-struck myself."

Peter Wilt, the club's president and general manager, compared Kleberson to Polish star Piotr Nowak. Wilt, then the Chicago Fire's GM, brought a 33-year-old Nowak to Chicago, which proceeded to win a championship in its inaugural Major League Soccer season in 1998.

Coincidentally, Nowak formerly coached MLS' Philadelphia Union, the team Kleberson represented last year. Of the games in which Kleberson appeared, he was their best player, Nowak told Wilt.

The Eleven are attempting to keep up with the NASL's New York Cosmos, who brought in aging Spaniard, then-36-year-old Marcos Senna, a year ago. Kleberson passed medical and fitness tests, said Sommer, who needed more evidence that interest was indeed mutual.

"I pushed him pretty hard," the coach said. "I wanted to see if I could get him to maybe say this isn't the place for me. But he's still very passionate about the game, still sees himself very much wanting to have a big impact on the field as player. And he also needs to be a leader on this team, given his role and experience.

"He brings a world and a wealth of experience to the team that we just can't find here domestically."

Kleberson is to play in exhibitions Tuesday night against the Fire at West Lafayette and Friday night against Indiana University at IUPUI's Carroll Stadium. He already has his visa and is expected to be approved by the NASL for the opener April 12 against the Carolina RailHawks at IUPUI.

The Kleberson courtship began just one month ago. Through a translator, he said he loves the United States and that it is a good place for his family. After the World Cup in Brazil, he plans to bring wife Dayane, 27, son Klebinho (little Kleberson), 10, and daughter Daphne, 6, to the Indianapolis area.

The Brazilian brings the roster to 17 for the Eleven, who are aiming to have 20 for the nine-game spring season. Although nearing the end of his career, Kleberson qualifies as a celebrity in the second-division NASL. He played for his national team most recently in 2010, playing in one World Cup game that year.

Kleberson has "a lot of gas left in the tank," Sommer said.

"The things he's able to do on a soccer field, you just have to learn by being in the business. He's been in the business a long time. "

Call Star reporter David Woods at (317) 444-6195.