I had the pleasure of meeting the new signings and putting together the press releases that introduced them to Miami. It was an interesting group, a mixture of youth, experience and players arriving from very different corners of the football world. I think Tomás and his team have done a decent job here, although, as ever in football, the real judgement will come much later.
MIAMI, FL — Miami FC has announced the signing of defender Nico Carrera, adding an experienced 26-year-old centre-back to the club’s roster.
Carrera arrives in South Florida with a career that has taken him across the United States, Germany and Mexico, bringing valuable experience to a Miami FC defensive group continuing to develop under head coach Tomás Villalba.
A product of the FC Dallas system, Carrera began his professional career with the club in January 2019 before making the move to Germany in July 2020 to join Holstein Kiel. During his time in Germany, Carrera made two league appearances for Kiel and also spent time on loan with FSV Zwickau, where he added nine league appearances. Carrera returned to North America in July 2024 with a move to Deportivo Toluca FC, making 10 league appearances and scoring once. He subsequently spent time on loan with Club de Fútbol Atlante, recording 31 league appearances and one goal, before later joining Detroit City FC in September 2027. During his time in Detroit, Carrera made 29 league appearances and scored three goals.
Overall, Carrera has recorded five goals across 81 senior appearances.
The versatile defender also spent time on trial with Greenville Triumph during his career, giving him previous familiarity with the USL environment and the demands of the league. Carrera joins Miami FC having already made a positive impression around Pitbull Stadium and will provide Villalba with another experienced option in the centre of the defence.
“I’m very happy to be here and excited for what we can build together,” Carrera said. “Miami is a club with a lot of potential and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
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MIAMI, FL — Miami FC has announced the signing of Argentine winger Matías Robetto, continuing the club’s investment in young attacking talent.
Robetto, 21, arrives in Miami following the beginning of his professional career with Argentine club Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield, where he joined in January 2023. The Argentine winger has been identified as an exciting young attacking option and will now continue his development in South Florida, joining a Miami FC squad that is increasingly blending established professionals with emerging talent.
Robetto joins Miami FC having already expressed his enthusiasm at becoming part of the club and experiencing football in the United States for the first time. His arrival represents another opportunity for Miami FC to provide a young player with a platform to develop within the professional game while competing for opportunities at the senior level.
With Villalba continuing to develop a flexible attacking structure built around movement, interchanges and players capable of operating between and beyond the lines, Robetto gives the coaching staff another young profile to work with.
“I’m very happy to join Miami FC,” Robetto said. “It is a new experience for me and I’m excited to learn, compete and help the team.”
The club believes Robetto has significant room for development and will work closely with the coaching and performance staff as he adapts to the demands of USL Championship football.
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MIAMI, FL — Miami FC has announced the signing of goalkeeper Blake Gillingham, adding a 29-year-old American goalkeeper with professional and collegiate experience to the squad.
Gillingham began his senior career with Houston Dynamo, making his professional debut in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on May 7, 2025, against Phoenix.
The goalkeeper originally began his development with De Anza Force in 2020 before moving into the US collegiate system in August 2021. Across three years in the collegiate game, Gillingham made 33 league appearances, gaining valuable experience before making the transition into the professional environment. Gillingham joined Houston Dynamo in 2024, although he did not make a league appearance for the club. He later joined Rhode Island FC in May 2026, where he established himself as a regular goalkeeper and made 53 league appearances. His experience across different levels of the American game gives Gillingham a strong understanding of the demands placed upon goalkeepers in the USL and the pathway towards the professional level.
Gillingham now moves to South Florida with the opportunity to compete for a place within the Miami FC squad and bring his experience to a developing goalkeeping group.
“I’m really excited to join Miami FC and get started,” Gillingham said. “The club has a great environment and I’m looking forward to contributing.”
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MIAMI, FL — Miami FC has announced the signing of 21-year-old full-back Josh Torquato, bringing one of the emerging young players from the American game to South Florida.
Torquato began his development with the FC Dallas Academy in 2023 before progressing into senior football with FC Dallas, where he made 25 league appearances. His time in the FC Dallas system coincided with a successful period for the club, with Torquato part of the group that lifted the Major League Soccer Western Conference title in 2027. In January 2028, Torquato moved to Jacksonville Armada, where he continued his development and made 30 league appearances, scoring three goals. Across his senior career, Torquato has recorded three goals in 55 appearances and arrives at Miami FC with valuable experience despite being only 21 years old.
A full-back capable of contributing on both sides of the ball, Torquato joins a Miami FC side whose tactical identity places significant demands on its wide players. His athleticism, experience and understanding of the American professional game will give head coach Tomás Villalba another option as Miami continue to develop their three-at-the-back system.
“I’m really excited to join Miami FC,” Torquato said. “It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to getting to work with the team.”
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MIAMI, FL — Miami FC has announced the signing of 19-year-old Brazilian winger Dassler, adding another exciting young attacking player to the club’s roster.
Dassler began his footballing career with FAC in April 2022 and progressed into the first team in 2026. He made his senior debut in the Brazilian Ceará State Championship on January 21, 2026, appearing for FAC against Horizonte. During his first senior season, Dassler made five league appearances before moving to Grêmio Osasco Audax Rio Esporte Clube in January 2027. The Brazilian continued his development at Audax, making 37 league appearances and scoring once.
Now 19, Dassler arrives in Miami with considerable experience for a player of his age and will have the opportunity to continue his development within the club’s first-team environment. His arrival further strengthens Miami FC’s attacking options while adding another young international player to a squad increasingly built around a mixture of experience and potential.
“I’m very happy to be joining Miami FC,” Dassler said. “It is a big opportunity for me and I’m excited to experience football in Miami and work with my new teammates.”
Miami FC’s coaching staff will work closely with Dassler as he adapts to USL Championship football and the demands of the club’s tactical system.
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MIAMI, FL — Miami FC has announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Luquinhas, continuing the club’s recruitment of young talent from South America.
Luquinhas, 22, began his senior career with FOR in September 2019 before moving to FLU in June 2021. The Brazilian midfielder continued his career with CEA from April 2023 and later moved to JUV in June 2024, also spending time on loan with CRI during his development. Across those early stages of his career, Luquinhas has gained experience in a variety of Brazilian football environments and now moves to the United States for a new challenge with Miami FC. His versatility in midfield gives head coach Tomás Villalba another young option as the club continues to develop a squad capable of adapting to different tactical situations.
Luquinhas arrives in South Florida with the opportunity to establish himself in American professional football while continuing his development within Miami FC’s first-team environment.
“I’m very happy to be here and excited to start this new chapter,” Luquinhas said. “Miami is a beautiful place and I’m looking forward to playing in front of the supporters at Pitbull Stadium.”
The midfielder joins Miami FC as the latest Brazilian addition to the club and will begin working with the first-team group immediately.
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MIAMI, FL — Miami FC has announced the signing of Belgian defender Wout Gielen, bringing an intriguing young European prospect to South Florida.
Gielen, 20, arrives at Miami FC following a development pathway that has included some of European football’s most respected academies and development environments. The Belgian began his career with Sint-Truiden before joining Genk, where he spent several seasons developing through the club’s youth system. Gielen subsequently moved to Italy, joining Juventus and becoming part of the club’s Next Gen setup. He made 11 appearances across his senior career in Italy, including 10 appearances for Juventus Next Gen during the 2027/28 season, contributing one assist. His time in Turin also saw him included within the wider Juventus first-team environment, providing valuable exposure to the standards and demands of one of European football’s biggest clubs. Gielen now makes the move to the United States and Miami FC, where he will continue his development within a first-team environment.
The 20-year-old defender has been identified as a player with significant potential and will provide Miami with another option in the centre of defence as the club develops its long-term squad.
“I’m very excited to join Miami FC,” Gielen said. “I’ve had an amazing experience in Europe and I’m ready for this next step. I’m looking forward to getting to know Miami, the club and the supporters.”
Gielen joins Miami FC as a free transfer and will begin working with the first-team squad immediately.
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