New Birmingham Legion FC signing Lucca Dourado recorded 43 goals in 69 appearances for the University of Central Florida over the past five seasons. | Photo courtesy University of Central Florida Athletics
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham Legion FC announced on Monday the club had signed forward Lucca Dourado and midfielder Temitayo "Temi" Ereku ahead of the 2025 USL Championship season. The transactions are pending league and federation approval.
Dourado enters the professional ranks in Birmingham having recently completed a stellar college career at the University of Central Florida. The 24-year-old scored 43 goals in 69 appearances across five seasons for the Knights, posting a shot conversion rate of 22.5 percent and a shooting accuracy rate of 47.1 percent.
A native of São Paulo, Brazil, Dourado was named to the 2024 Sun Belt All-Conference First Team for a second consecutive year, having previously been named to the American Athletic Conference First Team in both 2021 and 2022. He was also a three-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection.
“Lucca is a dynamic forward that we're happy to add to our attacking group,” said Legion FC President and General Manager Jay Heaps. “He is a player that can be utilized at multiple positions across the frontline and make an impact.”
Ereku joins Legion having most recently competed for FK Ekranas in Lithuania’s second tier, where he made 22 league appearances and three appearances in the Lithuanian Cup during the past campaign. He had previously come through the youth ranks at Brooke House College Football Academy in England.
The 21-year-old has previously represented Nigeria at the youth international level, having received one cap for the U-20 side in 2020 at the age of 17.
“We are excited to be bringing Temi to the club,” said Heaps. “He is a young defensive midfielder with size and strength that will fit in well with the physical nature of the USL Championship.”