Rafael Galhardo joins Valour FC - Free agent arrives from Vasco da Gama

Canadian Premier League side Valour FC have signed Rafael Galhardo. The 29-year-old former Brazilian youth international (12 games for the U20) joins the Winnipeg-based club on a free transfer after his contract with Vasco da Gama expired in September 2020. 

"We are pleased to welcome Rafael to the club," Valour FC assistant coach and general manager Damian Rocke said in a club statement. "We feel Galhardo will offer a very different dimension to our club and the CPL especially in the attacking phase. There is no denying Rafael's pedigree and track record, having won several domestic competitions at the top level in Brazil, as well as winning the U20 World Cup with Brazil in his youth career."

Galhardo has not played a professional game since the end of the 2019 Série A season, which he spent on loan at Grêmio. Nonetheless, the right-back will add significant experience to the CanPL side. Galhardo has played 103 games in Brazil's top division (five goals and ten assists).