FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chicago Fire Sign Brazilian Defender Adailton Jose dos Santos Filho

Washington, D.C. (Stone Sports Management, LLC) – December 30, 2014

Today, Stone Sports Management, LLC (“SSM”) is excited to announce former Brazilian Youth International and 2003 U-20 World Cup Winner Adailton Jose Dos Santos Filho ("Adailton") has signed with Major League Soccer and the Chicago Fire for the 2015 Season.  Adailton most recently played with Esporte Clube Bahia in his home city Salvador, Brazil featuring in four matches and yesterday terminated his contract allowing him to sign with the Fire on a free transfer.  The 31 year-old central defender returned to Brazil in Summer 2014 after spending the previous five years in Switzerland with Swiss Super League side Sion FC (with two loan stints in China with Chinese Super League Henan Jianye and also with FC Chiasso in Switzerland) where he played along side 2013 MLS Defender of the Year Jose Goncalves. 

"It is with great satisfaction that I will continue my career with the Chicago Fire and play in Major League Soccer," remarked Adailton.  "I have been watching MLS closely over the past several seasons and ever since 2004 while in France, I made it a goal of mine to play in the United States. I had other opportunities to join MLS clubs in the past but the timing was not right until this challenge with the Fire.  I look forward to working with my new teammates and Coach Frank Yallop and his staff to take on the challenge of returning the Fire to the Playoffs and giving the Fire Supporters the trophies they deserve."

Adailton comes to Chicago with a versatile playing background having played in Brazil, France, Switzerland and China. He is fluent in Portuguese, English, French, Spanish and Italian. He boasts leadership qualities having first Captained the Brazilian U20 World Cup team helping them win the 2003 World Cup in Dubai. Brazilian giants Santos FC, Sion FC and FC Chiasso also elected Adailton Captain.  French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais signed Adailton for three years after his impressive U20 World Cup and after he broke through as a first team regular at his local side Vitoria SC.  He then returned to Brazil with Santos FC signing for three years playing alongside Brazilian Superstar Neymar whom he shares a passion and friendship giving back to the Brazilian community through Socal Projects and Charity.  

Adailton joins a Fire squad that finished eighth in the Eastern Conference and out of the MLS Playoffs. He is expected to start in central defense next to Fire Captain Jeff Larentowicz and 2014 Team Defensive MVP Lovel Palmer, as the club has made several off-season international signings including two Designated Player Strikers David Accam and Kennedy Igbonanike as well as Defender Joevin Jones. 

"I am very pleased to have assisted in Adailton's transfer to the Chicago Fire and Major League Soccer," says SSM's President and Players' Agent Justin B. Stone. "I have known Adailton for several years and is an outstanding professional and person. He welcomed me to his home this summer during the World Cup and to meet his family, so it is with great pleasure to welcome him to the United States along with his wife and newborn son. I want to thank the Chicago Fire, Head Coach Frank Yallop and Technical Director Brian Bliss for their hard work bringing Adailton to the club. I am confident that he will transition well to MLS and that the 2015 season will be successful for Adailton individually and the Fire collectively." 

(Photo: Adailton's Wife, Adailton and SSM Agent Justin B. Stone in Salvador, Brazil during 2014 World Cup)

SSM would also like to thank its Swiss Partners Gold Kick S.A. for introducing Adailton as well as Diadora for sponsoring Adailton.  

Click HERE for the Chicago Fire's 2015 Pre-season schedule and click HERE for the Chicago Fire's 2015 MLS Schedule. Please also enjoy Highlights below from Bahia and Sion FC.