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FC Tulsa

FC Tulsa Signs USL League One Midfielder Lucas Coutinho

February 2, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


TULSA - FC Tulsa is bringing another USL League One talent to the USL Championship to boost its roster in 2021. The club announced Tuesday the signing of midfielder Lucas Coutinho, pending league and federation approval. Coutinho joins FC Tulsa from South Georgia Tormenta FC, where he has spent the last two seasons writing one of the great comeback stories in soccer.

"I'm very familiar with Lucas and all of the qualities he has as a footballer," said FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien. "He's a dual threat as a dribbling and passing attacking midfield player and is the modern prototype midfielder who can make plays from wide positions as well, so we are glad to bring him into our club. Lucas also has a trait we are looking for in all of our returning players, and new additions - he has a big appetite to succeed. His character and attitude are right for him to be a good fit for FC Tulsa."

Over the last two seasons, Coutinho was an offensive creator for Tormenta, racking up three goals and four assists over 25 league appearances. He seemed on track for even bigger numbers in his rookie season, scoring three goals and two assists in his first 16 matches of the 2019 campaign and was awarded a USL League One Player of the Week award.

His 2019 season was cut short when Coutinho suffered a severe head injury due to an on-field collision midway through a match on August 17. While chasing down a pass, Coutinho collided head-on with the opposing goalkeeper and was knocked unconscious, ultimately slipping the Brazilian into a coma which lasted five days. Missing the rest of the 2019 season, Coutinho relearned basic motor functions and eventually got back training on a soccer pitch at the beginning of 2020.

The midfielder made his return to Tormenta's lineup on July 26, 2020, nearly one year after injury. Despite playing just 277 minutes in 2020, Coutinho tied for the club lead with two assists and created 10 chances in his limited minutes, proving to himself and the rest of the soccer world that his talent hadn't gone anywhere.

"It means the world to me [to sign with FC Tulsa]," said Coutinho. "It gives me an opportunity to continue doing what I love day in and day out. Most of all, it challenges me as a player to continue to compete in a league with so much talent. To me that is really exciting. I can't wait to see my growth over the course of the season."

While born in Recife, Brazil, Coutinho grew up in the States, attending college at Palm Beach Atlantic University in NCAA Div. II after prepping in South Carolina. He was a three-time collegiate All-American (2014, 2015 and 2016) at Palm Beach Atlantic, totaling 25 goals and 38 assists.

Coutinho is the 17th player announced to FC Tulsa's 2021 roster and the third that played in USL League One last season, alongside former Chattanooga Red Wolves SC defender Leo Folla and former Fort Lauderdale CF goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi.

2021 FC Tulsa Roster

Goalkeepers: Daniel Gagliardi, Sean Lewis

Defenders: Bradley Bourgeois, Leo Folla, Kevin Garcia, Mo Jadama, Solomon Kwambe, Matt Sheldon

Midfielders: Eric Bird, Lucas Coutinho, Rodrigo da Costa, Lebo Moloto, Ciaran Winters

Forwards: Jerome Kiesewetter, Joaquín Rivas, Marlon Santos, Darío Suárez

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