SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has acquired Designated Player Jamiro Monteiro from the Philadelphia Union in exchange for $250,000 of 2022 General Allocation Money (GAM), a 2022 international roster slot, and a conditional $200,000 in 2023 GAM if certain performance metrics are met.
“Jamiro has been one of the most consistently exciting and effective players in Major League Soccer over the past three seasons,” said Earthquakes General Manager Chris Leitch. “In addition to raising our level of creativity, we believe he is a strong fit for our style of play and should make us more dynamic in attack and defense.”
Monteiro, 28, has competed for the Philadelphia Union for the past three seasons, totaling nine goals and 21 assists in 75 regular season appearances (70 starts). During his time with Philadelphia, the Union finished top three in the Eastern Conference each season and won the coveted Supporters’ Shield in 2020 with a league-best 14-4-5 record. Monteiro is one of just four players in Major League Soccer to tally at least six assists in each of the past three seasons, along with Quakes midfielder Cristian Espinoza.
Monteiro was also a catalyst for Philadelphia during international play, leading the club to the semifinals of the 2021 Concacaf Champions League. He tallied two goals and two assists during the competition and was one of just two MLS players named to the Team of the Tournament.
Monteiro began his senior career with Dutch club SC Cambuur-Leeuwarden in 2015. He made 63 appearances for SC Cambuur-Leeuwarden, including 20 in the top-flight Eredivisie, finishing with eight goals and five assists across two seasons. He was then transferred to Eredivisie side Heracles Almelo ahead of the 2017-18 season and contributed five goals and three assists in 37 appearances.
Monteiro joined French side FC Metz in July 2018 for a reported transfer fee of $3.3 million. He made seven appearances for FC Metz during the 2018-19 season before joining Philadelphia on loan. After impressing during his debut season in MLS, in which he tallied four goals and nine assists, he was acquired via permanent transfer for a then club-record fee.
Internationally, Monteiro represents Cape Verde, the nation of his parents’ heritage. He has scored one goal in 20 appearances for Cape Verde, most recently making three appearances as part of the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2022.
Jamiro Monteiro
(juh-MEER-oh mon-TARE-oh)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Weight: 140 lbs.
Born: Nov. 23, 1993
Preferred Foot: Right
Hometown: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Previous Club: Philadelphia Union (MLS)
College: N/A
Roster Designation: International, Designated Player
Citizenship: Netherlands, Cape Verde
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – Earthquakes acquire M Jamiro Monteiro from Philadelphia Union in exchange for $250,000 of 2022 General Allocation Money (GAM), a 2022 international roster slot, and a conditional $200,000 in 2023 GAM if certain performance metrics are met.
