COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC today announced that the club has acquired Brazilian 23-year-old midfielder Francisco Wellington Barbosa de Lisboa, better known as Robinho (pronounced: roh-BEAN-yo), from Ceara SC of Brazil’s First Division for an undisclosed transfer fee. The midfielder has made 119 appearances across all competitions in Brazil, scoring 14 goals. He will officially be added to the Black & Gold roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa and will occupy an international roster slot on Crew SC’s roster.

“We want to welcome Robinho to Columbus Crew SC as he is a young and dynamic wide attacking midfielder with tireless energy,” said Crew SC President Tim Bezbatchenko. “At 23, Robinho brings experience from more than 100 matches across all competitions in Brazil and we look forward to watching him continue to develop as we believe he adds depth at our wide attacking midfielder position.”



The Brazilian midfielder last played for Ceara Sporting Club in Brazil’s First Division during the second half of the 2018 season, where he made two appearances in the Brazilian First Division – Serie A – following a loan stint at Santa Cruz Futebol Clube of Brazil’s Third Division during the first half of the 2018 season. While at Santa Cruz, Robinho made 37 appearances across all competitions for Santa Cruz, scoring eight goals. In addition to making 18 appearances in Serie C, Robinho also made 11 appearances (all starts) in the Campeonato Pernambucano, one appearance (one start) in the Copa do Brasil and eight appearances (seven starts) in the Copa do Nordeste.



Robinho began his career with Itapipoca Esporte Clube, where he made nine appearances and scored one goal in the Campeonato Cearaense, before joining Ceara Sporting Clube. From 2014-2018, Robinho made 37 appearances for Ceara Sporting Club, while also featuring for other clubs. In 2014, he made eight appearances (one start) in Serie B and the Copa do Brasil for Ceara. The 2015 season saw Robinho play for Ceara and Associacao Desportiva Confianca, making 20 appearances (six starts) for Ceara in Serie B and the Copa do Brasil as well as 10 appearances (all starts) for Confianca in Serie C, with the midfielder scoring three goals for the latter.



Robinho split his time between Ceara and Esporte Clube Novo Hamburgo in 2016. The midfielder made six appearances (three starts) for Ceara in Serie B and the Copa do Brasil, as well as 13 appearances (six starts) for Novo Hamburgo in the Campeonato Gaucho, scoring two goals. In 2017, Robinho played once for Ceara in Serie B, before joining for Cuiaba Esporte Clube on loan, where he made 12 appearances (five starts) across Serie C, the Copa do Brasil and the Copa Verde.



TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC acquires midfielder Robinho from Brazil First Division side Ceara Sporting Club for an undisclosed transfer fee on January 18, 2019. He will officially be added to the Black & Gold roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa will occupy an international roster slot on Crew SC’s roster.



Name: Robinho (roh-BEAN-yo)

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5’5”

Weight: 148

Born: January 19, 1995 in Senador Pompeu, Brazil

Hometown: Madalena, Brazil

Citizenship: Brazil

Acquired: Acquired by Crew SC from Ceara Sporting Club on January 18, 2019

Previous Experience: Ceara Sporting Club (2014-2018), Santa Cruz Futebol Clube (2018), Cuiaba Esporte Clube (2017), Esporte Clube Novo Hamburgo (2016), Associacao Esportiva Confianca (2015), Itapipoca Esporte Clube (2014)