SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio FC announced on Friday the club had signed midfielder Jorge “Bura” Nogueira ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval, and per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Nogueira joins SAFC after registering 1,299 minutes with Iranian side Mes Kerman last season in the Persian Gulf Pro League, the country’s First Division. Before that, he spent three seasons with SC Farense in Portugal, appearing in 15 Primeira Liga matches and 24 LigaPro matches. The defensive midfielder was part of a unit that allowed just 22 goals in 24 games during the abbreviated 2019-20 season LigaPro season as the side achieved promotion back to the top tier.

The 28-year-old also spent part of the 2018-19 season on loan with CD Aves, competing in the Portugal’s top youth league and helping the club to its first U23 Championship.

“We are delighted to bring Bura to the team,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “He brings top-flight experience and strong on-field leadership qualities, having served as a captain of his national team. He is another physical presence in the center of the park who reads the game well, is dominant in the air and thrives in one-on-one defensive duels. We look forward to acclimating Bura to our team identity.”

Born in Guinea-Bissau, Nogueira began his professional career close to home, playing with Estrela Negra de Bissau (2013-14) and Bissau de Benfica (2015-16). The 28-year-old has 26 caps for the Guinea-Bissau National Team, captaining the squad six times.