Jamiro Monteiro traded to San Jose Earthquakes from Philadelphia Union

Jamiro Monteiro will join San Jose Earthquakes as a Designated Player and the Philadelphia Union will receive in exchange 250,000 in General Allocation Money, an international roster spot, and $200k GAM in performance-based incentives according to MLS.soccer.com.

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Jamiro Gregory Monteiro Alvarenga is a Cape Verdean footballer of Dutch origin that plays as a midfielder. The African player has played for FC Metz in the Ligue 2 of France, for Heracles Almelo in the Eredivisie of Netherlands, and for Philadelphia Union in the MLS since 2019.

Jamiro Monteiro’s career

In March 2019 FC Metz sent on loan to Philadelphia Union of MLS the player from Cape Verde. Monteiro played 26 matches in the club's 2019 season, 22 as a starter and scored four goals, and recorded 9 assists. On January 10, 2020, Monterio signed a three-year contract with the Union.

The Cape Verde player will share the Designated Player spot alongside the Mexican Eduardo "Chofis" Lopez and winger Cristian Espinoza. 

The trade opens up a Designated Player spot for the Philadelphia Union, which acquired for the 2022 MLS season in the Designated Player spots Mikael Uhre, the Danish player who arrived from Brøndby, and Julian Carranza who arrived from Inter Miami CF on loan, both strikers.

The Cape Verde international scored nine goals and 21 assists in 75 regular-season games as Philadelphia won the 2020 Supporters' Shield and reached the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs all three years.

The African player wanted a long-term contract with Philadelphia

The Cape Verdean midfielder was on the verge of leaving in the summer and was sidelined from the first team while a transfer was being sought, but no deal was finalized and Monteiro rejoined coach Jim Curtin's squad. Monteiro wanted a new long-term contract, but Philadelphia was not interested in such a deal.

Monteiro becomes San Jose's latest MLS addition after general manager Chris Leitch assumed the position of interim GM in July following the departure of Jesse Fioranelli. The team has added forward Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers trade), midfielder Jan Gregus (Re-Entry Draft), and defender Francisco Calvo (free agency), among others, during the last two signing windows.

Monteiro can play alongside Chofis, either as a center forward or with Chofis on the wing, but Monteiro also gives San Jose insurance for the future. Chofis is only on loan from Liga MX side Chivas until June 2022, although the Quakes have an option to extend the loan or activate an option to buy.

San Jose, coached by Matías Almeyda, lost the playoffs a year ago. Philadelphia reached the Eastern Conference final.

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