The Orlando Sharks finalized the contract of midfielder Ricardinho Tuesday evening, making him the fourth player that the Sharks have signed in the past three days with over 50 points scored last season.
Ricardinho played last season with the old Major Indoor Soccer League’s Detroit Ignition, accumulating 58 points in just 23 games. When added together, the previous season’s point total of Ricardinho and newly signed Sharks players Hewerton Moreira, Ryan Mack and Enrique Tovar totals an astounding 275 points. By way of comparison, last year’s largely rookie Sharks team managed just 308 points for the entire team for the season.
“We’re putting together a group of guys who are going to be able to do some amazing things on the field this season. Defense wasn’t a problem last year. We were able to hold teams to a low score, we just had a difficult time putting points on the board. I can guarantee that will not be a problem this year,” says Coach Jake Dancy with a smile.
“Ricky is another one of those great Brazilian futsal players who become outstanding indoor players,” said Sharks President Rich Bradley. “He has tremendous talent, but he brings also championship experience and leadership to our team, in addition to the fact that he is a class act as an individual, like the rest of our players.”
Ricardinho or “Ricky”, a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, began his professional indoor soccer career with the Dallas Sidekicks in 2004 and has since played for the Milwaukee Wave (winning a championship with Milwaukee in 2005) and the Detroit Ignition of the MISL. He was also a member of the 2006 National Champion World United Futsal Club. He and his wife Adrianna are expected to relocate to Orlando within the next few weeks.
The Sharks previously announced the signing of Moreira, Mack and Tovar earlier this week and Coach Dancy has indicated that additional signings will be imminently announced.
Orlando begins its sophomore season on the road at MISL Champion Baltimore on Saturday, November 15 and opens at home on Friday, November 28 against Monterrey.
