Fred (footballer, born 1979)

Fred began his career in his native Brazil, playing for Olympic Barbacena, Tupi, América and Guarani.

Fred signed for Australian club Melbourne Victory in 2006 and, despite a controversial three-game suspension for an alleged elbow, was one of the standouts of the 2006–07 A-League season. His popularity increased when he appeared in a television commercial promoting underwear. He was voted best A-League player for season 2 by The World Game Team. In the 2007 A-League Grand Final against Adelaide United, Fred had four assists on the five goals scored by Archie Thompson.

Fred with D.C. United in 2008

After the season, Fred signed with Major League Soccer club D.C. United.[2][3] It was reported to be a matter of money, as United offered a guaranteed salary of US$222,000 per year (which the Melbourne Victory cannot match due to the more stringent salary cap in the A-League).[4]

The name on the back of his D.C. United jersey was simply "Fred", despite initially being told he would have to use his proper last name, per MLS rules. He made his debut on 3 April 2007 against Chivas de Guadalajara in a CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal match. On 3 September 2008, Fred scored the game-winning goal in D.C. United's 2–1 win over the Charleston Battery in the US Open Cup Final.

On 14 November 2008, Fred was confirmed as a guest player for New Zealand-based A-League club Wellington Phoenix.[5] He was scheduled to play six games for the Phoenix before returning to D.C. United for the next season. In his third game, he scored his first goal, against Adelaide United, although the Phoenix still lost 6–1. On 10 December 2008, Fred returned to Brazil due to his father's sudden death and on 18 December it was announced that Fred would not return to the Wellington Phoenix to complete his contract meaning he only appeared in three of his six scheduled games in New Zealand.[6]

On 13 January 2010, Fred was traded to Philadelphia Union, along with D.C. United's first-round 2010 MLS SuperDraft pick, and allocation money in exchange for Philadelphia's top spot in the allocation order. D.C. subsequently used the top allocation ranking to re-acquire goalkeeper Troy Perkins.[7] A list telling the players that were available for the new MLS Re-Entry Draft revealed that he was available for the draft due to being out of contact.[8]

On 15 December 2010, Fred was chosen by New England Revolution in the second round of the 2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft.[9] However, he declined the club's contract offer and pursued a contract outside of MLS.[10]

Fred returned to MLS and signed with D.C. United on 18 February 2011 after D.C. acquired his MLS rights from New England for a second-round 2013 MLS SuperDraft pick.[11]

On 20 June 2011, Fred was announced as one of Melbourne Heart's big name off-season signings, on a salary of $200,000 AUD for the season.[12] He came following his brief second stint at D.C. United of MLS, officially joining his new club when the international transfer window opened in mid-July 2011.[13] Melbourne Heart are the direct cross-town rivals of Fred's former club, Melbourne Victory, with whom he achieved the 2006/07 Premiership and Championship double.[14] Fred played against his former team for the first time in the 3rd round of the 2011/12 season.

On 22 April 2012 Fred was named the Alex Tobin player of the year for 2012 whilst playing for Melbourne Heart.

As a result of the Heart finishing second-to-last on the A-League ladder, their worst finish in an A-League season, Fred, along with teammates Simon Colosimo, Matt Thompson and Clint Bolton, were released by the Heart at the conclusion of the 2012–13 A-League season.[15]

On 20 March 2014 Philadelphia Union re-acquired Fred through the MLS waiver draft system.[16]