The Earthquakes aimed to shore up their midfield to open the August transfer window as they announced the signing of Ronaldo Vieira, who has played in Italy since 2018.

Vieira most recently played for UC Sampdoria in Serie B, the nation’s second league, after the team was relegated in 2022-23. He played in 21 matches last season for Sampdoria, including 12 starts, recording one assist. Overall in Italy, he has played 118 matches and also played 63 matches for Leeds United in England’s second-division Championship league between 2015 and his departure for Sampdoria in 2018. He also went on loan to Torino FC and Hellas Verona during his time in Italy.

The 27-year-old’s deal runs through the 2026 season and has club options for 2027 and 2028.

“I’m very excited to be coming to San Jose and play in front of the Earthquakes fans,” Vieira said in a team release. “I describe myself as a ball-winner—a guy who breaks the other team’s attack and then just give it to the guys who can go and get the goals. I think we can make that final push into the playoffs.”

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A native of Guinea-Bissau in West Africa, Vieira moved to Portugal as a kid, training at Portimão and Benfica academies, then further north to England to finish his youth career at Leeds United’s academy. He played for England’s youth international teams, earning 16 caps between the Under-20 and Under-21 teams.

The Quakes have been struggling of late after a surprising start to the season under new manager Bruce Arena. They were winless over six matches in July, including their ouster from U.S. Open Cup play by Austin FC. Their next game is Saturday against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, who made a splash signing from Bayern Munich this week in forward Thomas Muller.

San Jose currently sits 10th in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference, just a point behind the Colorado Rapids for the final playoff spot.