Sporting KC acquires winger from Portuguese club

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Sporting Kansas City acquired winger Gerso Fernandes from Portugal's Belenenses on Wednesday in a deal that will keep him with the MLS club through 2019 and includes an option for 2020.

The 25-year-old Fernandes, a native of Guinea-Bissau in West Africa, has played more than 150 matches during a six-year career in Portugal. He's spent his past five seasons in the top division, and spent last season with Belenenses.

Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said in a statement that Fernandes has "been on our radar the past few years." Fernandes will be a designated player who counts only partially against the team's salary cap.

Fernandes has also played for Portuguese club Estoril and Moreirense.