Colorado Rapids retain MLS rights to Lucas Esteves during Re-Entry Draft

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids have selected defender Lucas Esteves in the 2022 MLS Re-Entry Draft, Stage 2, retaining the MLS rights to the Brazilian fullback. 

Esteves, 22, originally joined the club midway through 2021 on loan from Brazilian side Palmeiras. The Brazilian defender has made 44 regular-season appearances for Colorado, netting two goals and adding three assists across 3,194 minutes played. 

Prior to his loan with the Rapids, Esteves spent three seasons with Palmeiras, the most successful club in the history of Brazil’s Serie A, the country’s top flight. The left back made his professional debut in 2020 and went on to win two consecutive Copa Libertadores, the Copa do Brasil and the Campeonato Paulista during his time with the Alviverde, as well as earning an invitation to train with Brazil’s national team in the summer of 2021 during their Copa America campaign.

The Rapids have until December 1 to exercise the purchase option on Esteves’ loan.

TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids select defender Lucas Esteves in the second round of the 2022 MLS Re-Entry Draft.