Impact signs Brazilian midfielder Martins from Swiss second division

MONTREAL – Brazilian midfielder Felipe Campanholi Martins has signed with the Montreal Impact of Major League Soccer.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder played the last four seasons in Europe with Swiss second division clubs Winterthur, Lugano and Wholen as well as 34 games for Italian third division side Padova Calcio.

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“He is a very versatile, clever and sharp midfielder and we are extremely pleased to have him on our team for 2012,” Impact coach Jesse Marsch said Wednesday in a statement.

Martins most recently played a half season with Wholen after being loaned from Lugano. He scored seven goals in 50 games, 32 as a starter, with Lugano and had two goals in 10 games for Wholen.

He is the 23rd player and the fifth foreign player on the Impact roster.

The Impact make their MLS debut March 10 in Vancouver and play their home opener March 17 at Olympic Stadium.