Portuguese defender Bruno Wilson joins San Jose Earthquakes in MLS

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Former Portugal’s F.C. Vizela defender Bruno Wilson has signed with Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes, the club said Thursday.

The 27-year-old free agent signed a two-year contract through the 2025 season with a club option for 2026, pending the receipt of his international Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.

"We're happy to sign Bruno, who brings center back experience abroad from one of the top leagues in Europe," said Earthquakes general manager Chris Leitch in a prepared statement. "We're confident that adding him to our back line will contribute to our continued defensive success."

A Lisbon native, Wilson amassed five goals and two assists in 79 games in Liga Portugal, the nation's top tier.

The 6’4” center back spent the last three seasons with F.C. Vizela, scoring four goals and tallying two assists in 68 appearances. His arrival in San Jose will further strengthen a robust defense that in 2023 conceded 26 fewer goals from the previous season.

Wilson began his youth career with AD Oeiras and Portuguese giant Sporting Clube de Portugal before signing his first professional contract with S.C. Braga in 2016. Wilson made his top-flight debut with the first team that same year.

He made a permanent move to first-division football when he signed with C.D. Tondela in 2019, scoring his first Liga Portugal goal. Wilson returned to S.C. Braga the following season, and after spending a season on loan with Spanish side CD Tenerife, he joined newly promoted F.C. Vizela in 2021.

Internationally, Wilson has represented the Portuguese youth national team at the Under-16, U-17, U-18, and U-20 levels. He has earned 21 total caps, including three starts in the UEFA European U-17 Championship qualifiers.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Portuguese center back Bruno Wilson joins San Jose Earthquakes in MLS