CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Chattanooga Red Wolves SC today announced the addition of 2023 USL League One champion Gustavo Fernandes for the 2024 season, pending league and federation approval. 

Fernandes, a season-long starter, previously played for North Carolina FC and recorded 4,901 minutes across two seasons. In 2023, he played 33 matches with 31 starts. Fernandes won 26 tackles with a 76.5% tackle rate along with 82 clearances, 19 blocks and 17 interceptions.

Fernandes was a key factor in helping North Carolina FC lift the USL League One Final trophy at the end of the 2023 season after beating the Charlotte Independence on penalties. In 2022, Fernandes started in 24 of 26 games for NCFC and had 1,176 successful passes with an accuracy of 86.8%. 

Fernandes joined Forward Madison FC for his debut professional season in 2020 and continued with the club for two seasons. During his time in Madison, he played 1,704 minutes total during the 2020 and 2021 seasons combined. Fernandes made 26 total appearances, 19 of which were starts. In 2020, he had a 91.7% winning tackle rate and 76.2% rate in 2021. Prior to his time at Madison, Fernandes played for the Ocean City Nor’easters of USL League Two in 2019 and the Tampa Bay Rowdies U-23 squad.

"I am extremely excited to join the Red Wolves for the 2024 season," Fernandes said. "Chattanooga has always been a tough place to play at because of the amazing fans, so I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to finally call this place home."

"We knew in this offseason we had to improve our backline; just like Jamil, just like TJ, Gustavo is a winner," said Chattanooga Head Coach Scott Mackenzie. "He's had a great career to date; this will be his sixth year within the USL ecosystem and he's coming into Chattanooga as a League One champion. He knows what it takes to get it done day in and day out."