PORTLAND, Maine - Portland Hearts of Pine today announced the signing of 28-year-old midfielder Walter Varela and 30-year-old defender Sean Vinberg, pending league and federation approval.

A native of Praia, Cape Verde, Walter Varela played collegiately at NJCAA school Bunker Hill Community College before spending time with NPSL side Valeo FC and UPSL side Brockton FC United.

Varela made his professional debut in 2022 with NISA's Albion San Diego, recording 24 appearances and seven goal contributions across all competitions that season. In 2023, Valera made 19 appearances and scored one goal for Chattanooga Red Wolves SC across USL League One and U.S. Open Cup play.

Sean Vinberg was born in New York City and played collegiately at NCAA Division III school SUNY Oneonta before spending time domestically with amateur sides Greater Binghamton FC and NY Greek American SC.

Vinberg signed with Mongolian Premier League side Khoromkhon FC in 2017 before spending the next seven years of his career with lower-division German clubs Niendorfer TSV, SC Condor Hamburg, Meiendorfer SV, Heider SV, 1. FC Phönix Lübeck and VfR Neumünster.

In August 2024, he joined League One side Central Valley Fuego FC and made seven appearances with the side. He scored his lone goal with Fuego FC in a 1-0 victory against Spokane Velocity FC in October.