FC Dallas acquire Nanu on loan with option to purchase

FC Dallas have signed defender Nanu from FC Porto on a one-year loan, the club announced on Monday. Nanu will occupy an international roster slot and will be added to the roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

Dallas retains a purchase option following the loan. 

“Nanu is a player I’ve known for a while. He was playing in Marítimo and had very good seasons with them,” technical director André Zanotta told the club website. 

“He got an important move to Porto for a good amount of money. He’ll add competition to our backline. He has good experience in Europe and the Portuguese league.”

The 27-year-old right-back has spent his entire career in Portugal before making his move to Major League Soccer. He kicked off his career with CS Maritimo, where he recorded three goals and eight assists in 56 appearances.  In a season-and-a-half with Porto, he managed 21 appearances.

He is also a Guinea-Bissau international, currently with his country at the Africa Cup of Nations.

“The information we have is that he’s a great teammate, a great professional,” Zanotta said. “He’ll bring some good experience to our team and to our defense. So, we’re very excited to have him.”

Dallas now have another option at right-back, with Nanu joining alongside Ema Twumasi, Edwin Munjoma and Justin Che.

This is one of many changes made this offseason after the club named Nico Estevez head coach and set a new club-record transfer in sending Ricardo Pepi to FC Augsburg.

Dallas returns to action on February 26 as they host Toronto FC.