Vitor Dias

Vitor Feitoza Almeida Dias (born 30 April 1998) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for HFX Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League.

Vitor Dias
Personal information
Full nameVitor Feitoza Almeida Dias
Date of birth (1998-04-30) 30 April 1998 (age 26)
Place of birthBrasília, Brazil
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)Midfielder
Team information
Current team
HFX Wanderers
Number11
Youth career
São Paulo FC
Boavista-RJ
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2019–2021Marshall Thundering Herd54(14)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2022St. Louis City 218(6)
2023Sporting Kansas City II12(1)
2024–HFX Wanderers1(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 April 2024

Early life

Dias played youth football in the São Paulo youth system, before later joining Boavista-RJ.[1]

College career

After beginning university in Brazil at Estácio de Sá University, in 2019, Dias began attending Marshall University for his sophomore year in the United States, where he played for the men's soccer team.[2] After suffering an injury in preseason, he made his collegiate debut on 6 September 2019 against the Butler Bulldogs.[3] On 27 September 2019, he scored his first collegiate goal in a victory over the Old Dominion Monarchs.[4]

In his second season, he earned his first weekly honor, being named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week in February, following a two-goal and two-assist performance against the West Virginia Mountaineers.[5][6] On 6 March, he had another two-goal performance in a 2–0 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks.[7] At the end of the season, he earned several Conference USA honors - All-First Team, Co-Midfielder of the Year, Offensive MVP, Player of the Year, and the Co-Male Athlete of the Year.[8][9] He was also named to the All-Southeast Region First Team,[10] a First-Team All-American,[11] a MAC Hermann Trophy semi-finalist,[12] and named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team, as Marshall won the national title.[13]

Ahead of his senior season in 2021, he was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Preseason watch list.[14] In the first week of the season, he was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week.[15] He was named a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award.[16][17] At the end of the season, he was named the Conference USA Co-Midfielder of the Year and selected to the All-First Team,[18] named to the All-Southeast Region First Team,[19] a Senior CLASS Second Team All-American and a Third-Team All-American.[20] After the season, he was invited to participate in the MLS College Showcase.[21]

Club career

At the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, Dias was selected in the third round (86th overall) by Vancouver Whitecaps FC.[22][23] However, he ultimately did not sign with the club and instead joined St. Louis City SC 2 in MLS Next Pro.[24] On 25 March 2022, he scored a penalty kick in his debut in the first ever match in MLS Next Pro history against Rochester New York FC.[25] In his first professional season, he scored six goals and added three assists, helping the club reach the playoff championship final, where they ultimately fell to Columbus Crew 2.[24]

In April 2023, he signed with Sporting Kansas City II.[24] On 9 August 2023, he scored his first goal in a match against the Tacoma Defiance.[26]

In February 2024, he signed with Canadian Premier League club HFX Wanderers FC, through the 2025 season.[27][28] Wanderers coach Patrice Gheisar had been interested in recruiting Dias since his time at Marshall University.[29]

Career statistics

As of 18 April 2024[30]
ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsDomestic CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
St. Louis City SC 22022MLS Next Pro1863020236
Sporting Kansas City II2023MLS Next Pro12110131
HFX Wanderers FC2024Canadian Premier League10000010
Career total417402000507

References