After two seasons with Indy Eleven Stefano Pinho joins the Legion
BIRMINGHAM, ALA (Feb. 6, 2024) – Birmingham Legion FC announced today the signing of forward Stefano Pinho pending league and federation approval. Pinho joins the Legion after two seasons with Indy Eleven.
“Pinho is a proven goal scorer in the USL,” said President and GM, Jay Heaps. “We’re excited to have an excellent and versatile forward who has experience in our league come to Birmingham.”
The Brazilian striker made his debut for the Legion on January 27 in a preseason friendly against MLS club Atlanta United.
Pinho appeared in 19 USL Championship matches in 2023 for Indy Eleven, making seven starts, recording one assist, and logging 631 minutes. During the 2022 season for Indy Eleven, Pinho had 32 appearances with 22 starts and recorded 2,000 minutes. He also led Indy Eleven in goals with 13 goals and had three assists. Before joining Indy Eleven, Pinho spent one season with Austin Bold FC in 2021 where he registered a goal and an assist in 25 matches.
“I’m extremely happy to be part of such a great team and organization! I will give everything that I have to help the club achieve the goals that we deserve,” said Pinho. “It’s a lot to prove this year and March 9th can’t come soon enough.”
Pinho spent his youth through the ranks of Brazilian club, Fluminense FC and started his professional career on loan with Brazilian club Guaratingueta Futebol in 2012, Madureira Esporte Clube in 2013, and Finnish club Mypa in 2014.
In 2013, Pinho caught the eye of American soccer clubs when he was named the top goal scorer at the MLS Combine. Before competing in the USL Championship, Pinho spent time in the NASL with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (2015), Minnesota United (2016), and Miami FC (2017). Pinho became a two-time NASL MVP and Golden Boot winner, with Fort Lauderdale (16 goals and nine assists) and with Miami FC (17 goals and six assists). In 2018, Pinho made his move to the Major League Soccer club, Orlando City FC, where he played in 26 matches across MLS and U.S. Open Cup competition and scored three goals.
Pinho had a three-year stint in Asia, where played for the China League One side Xianjang Tianshan Leopard in 2019 and for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Washm in 20/21.
Transaction: Legion FC signs forward Stefano Pinho to a multi-year contract, pending league and federation approval.
Player profile:
- Name: Stefano Pinho
- Position: Forward
- Height: 6’0
- Birthday: January 12, 1991
- Age: 32
- Hometown: Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Previous Club: Indy Eleven
- Instagram: @stefanopinho
2024 Legion FC Roster, as of Feb. 6, 2023
Goalkeepers (2): Matt VanOekel, Trevor Spangenberg
Defenders (4): Alex Crognale, Phanuel Kavita, Moses Mensah, AJ Paterson
Midfielders (3): Enzo Martinez, Mikey Lopez, Matthew Corcoran
Forward (5): Tyler Pasher, Diba Nwegbo, Prosper Kasim, Preston Tabort Etaka, Stefano Pinho
