Chattanooga Red Wolves SC has signed Brazilian midfielder Ualefi Rodrigues dos Reis to its USL League One team. Dos Reis will join the club for its 2019 Inaugural Season from Brazil’s Barretos Esporte Clube, pending league and federation approval.

Dos Reis rostered with Barretos EC for the 2017-18 season. A vital player for Barretos, dos Reis made an appearance in every match, adding nine assists and contributing to big wins for the club, including a 2-0 victory against rival Monte Azul. According to Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Head Coach and Technical Director Tim Hankinson, the Brazilian midfielder will be a great asset for the Red Wolves.

“As a defensive midfielder, Ualefi is a ball winner. Offensively, he controls the tempo of the game and facilitates possession seamlessly,” said Hankinson. “He has an innate ability to open up the game with long diagonal passes. Overall, he makes a great addition to our midfield.”

Prior to joining Barretos EC, dos Reis rostered with USL Championship’s Swope Park Rangers for two seasons. In 2016, Ualefi was the only player to start every regular season match during the 2016 season, adding four assists and placing second on the team in minutes played with a total of 2,511. He started in the USL Cup Playoffs opener against LA Galaxy II in the Western Conference Quarterfinals, recording an assist on the third goal of the 3-0 victory. Dos Reis made his Sporting Kansas City debut as a substitute at Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the CONCACAF Champions League on Aug. 23 before starting against the same opponent on Sept. 13.

The Sao Paulo native spent his early career in his native Brazil, joining Corinthians Academy in 2007 and advancing through the ranks to join the senior team in 2012. In 2012, dos Reis spent time with Flamengo’s Academy before returning to Corinthians in 2013. While with Corinthians, he won the 2011 IX Copa Ouro and Mundialito de Clubes Under-17 tournaments. The team was also victorious in the 2012 Copa Sao Paulo de Juniores. 

“First, I want to thank Chattanooga Red Wolves SC for this opportunity that the club is offering me,” said dos Reis. “Everyone can expect a lot of effort to achieve our goals of winning. I am anxious for the work to begin and to bring joy to the city and to all who support us. See you soon, Chattanooga!”

He joins the Red Wolves roster as the tenth player signing for the club. Other signees include Greg Hartley, Éamon Zayed and Steven Beattie.

For more information on Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, visit www.chattredwolves.com or follow the team on social media: @ChattRedWolves on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.