The Colorado Rapids have acquired defender Lucas Esteves on loan from Brazilian side S.E. Palmeiras through June 2022 with a club option to buy, pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 visa, the club announced today.
“Lucas is an athletic and technically gifted left back with top-level experience in South America,” said Pádraig Smith, Rapids Executive VP & General Manager. “We’re thrilled to add a player of his quality to our group and look forward to welcoming him to Colorado.”
Esteves joins the Rapids from Palmeiras, the most successful club team in the history of Brazil’s Serie A, the country’s top flight. The 21-year-old left back, who has made 27 appearances and recorded one goal for the Alviverde since making his debut in 2019, enjoyed a highly successful 2020 season in which he won the Copa Libertadores, Copa do Brasil and Campeonato Paulista. Earlier this summer, Esteves was invited to train with Brazil’s national team during their Copa America campaign.
A native of São Paulo, Brazil, Esteves joined Palmeiras’ U-15 side in 2014 and went on to have an illustrious youth career with the club. Between 2017 and 2019, Esteves and Palmeiras won three national and two state championships at youth levels. At the 2017 Brazil U-17 Cup, Esteves won his first championship, converting the winning penalty kick against archrival Corinthians.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids sign Brazilian defender Lucas Esteves, pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 visa.
