Veteran of over 100 Brazilian first-division games and 2017 Copa Libertadores champion joins FCD

FRISCO – FC Dallas has signed center back Bressan from Brazilian first-division side Grêmio, the club announced today, using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). He will be added to the roster and occupy an international spot pending receipt of his P1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate. Per team policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

“We are thrilled to be able to bolster our back line with a versatile player like Bressan,” said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt. “He has experience on the biggest stages of soccer in South America and we think his presence and technical ability as a defender will translate well to the style of play in MLS.”

Bressan, 25, started his pro career with Brazilian Série C team Juventude in 2010 and made his debut on March 21, 2010 for the 2010 Campeonato Gaúcho. In three seasons with Juventude, Bressan appeared in six matches. He was part of the squad that won the Copa FGF in back-to-back seasons. He also appeared in nine matches (four in 2010, four in 2011 and one in 2012) for the Campeonato Gaúcho Série A1 played in Brazilian state Rio Grande do Sul.

In December 2012, Bressan signed with Grêmio. He made 36 appearances and scored one goal during the 2013 season. Since 2013, he’s appeared in 103 games in Série A, 27 appearances in Campeonato Gaúcho Série A1, 11 appearances in Copa do Brasil and three appearances in Primeira Liga for Grêmio. He also added five goals across all domestic competitions. Bressan has appeared in 13 matches for Grêmio in Copa Libertadores play between 2013-2018 and was part of the team that won the 2017 Copa Libertadores, starting in three matches including Leg Two of the 2017 Final. In 2018, Bressan and Grêmio won the 2018 Campeonato Gaúcho. Bressan was in the 18-man roster when Grêmio beat Copa Sudamericana champion Independiente on away goals after a 1-1 aggregate draw in the 2018 Recopa Sudamericana.

Bressan went to first-division team Flamengo on loan in 2015 and appeared in four games in Série A and three appearances in Copa do Brasil. He also appeared in eight matches in Campeonato Carioca, the third oldest championship league in Brazil, where he scored one goal. In 2016, he was loaned to Uruguayan Primera Division team Peñarol and appeared in 11 games. He also appeared in two Copa Sudamericana matches and scored one goal.

He was part of the Brazilian U-22s team that went to the 2015 Pan American Games in Canada, where he had four appearances.

Full Name: Matheus Simonete Bressanelli

Nickname: Bressan

Connect with Bressan: Instagram

Position: Defender

DOB: January 15, 1993 (25)

Hometown: Caxias do Sul, Brazil

Birthplace: Caxias do Sul, Brazil

Height: 6-0

Weight: 174

Transaction: FC Dallas signs defender Bressan using Targeted Allocation Money.