Colorado Rapids extend loan of full-back Lucas Esteves from Palmeiras
By Chris Smith
The Colorado Rapids have extended full-back Lucas Esteves' loan from Brazilian giants Palmeiras until the end of the 2022 MLS season.
Esteves initially joined midway through the 2021 campaign following the sale of homegrown left-back Sam Vines to Royal Antwerp in Belgium. The Rapids retain the option to make the 22-year-old's loan permanent.
“Lucas has been a valuable contributor to our team since his arrival so we’re delighted to extend his stay with us through at least the remainder of the season,” Rapids executive vice president and general manager Pádraig Smith said in a club press release.
Signed through Major League Soccer's U22 Initiative, Esteves has played 29 times for the Rapids so far, scoring twice and providing a further two assists. The Brazilian was a key part of Colorado finishing top of the Western Conference table last season.
Esteves played 25 times for Palmeiras across three seasons prior to joining the Rapids, helping them win two Copa Libertadores titles, the Copa do Brasil and the Campeonato Paulista.
The Rapids are 12th in the Western Conference at present following a 3-0 defeat to the Portland Timbers and face Austin FC on Monday.