May 4, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release
VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Wednesday that the club has acquired Portuguese fullback Luís Martins. The native of Lamego, Portugal has agreed to a contract through 2022, with club options for 2023 and 2024. Martins arrived in Vancouver on Tuesday afternoon and will officially join the roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.
“Luís arrives in Vancouver with plenty of MLS experience and has played in some of Europe’s top competitions,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “We were looking for options to add to our wingback/fullback group and Luís fit the profile as he has a great work rate and covers a lot of ground. We are very happy to welcome Luís and his family to Vancouver.”
Whitecaps FC fullback Luís Martins
Third highest total distance covered (272 km) for all MLS players over the course of the 2021 regular season
55 starts and 60 appearances for Sporting KC from 2019 to 2021
Over 190 appearances at the club level playing in Portugal, Spain and the United States
Experience playing in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and La Liga
Graduate of the S.L. Benfica youth academy
Martins, 29, most recently played three seasons with fellow Western Conference side Sporting Kansas City, recording a goal and seven assists in 55 starts and 60 appearances across all competitions. Last season, he appeared in all 34 MLS regular season matches, as well as both playoff matches, starting all but one of his appearances. Martins finished the 2021 regular season with the third highest total distance covered at 272 km.
Prior to joining Sporting, Martins spent the 2018/19 campaign with Portuguese side G.D. Chaves, starting 16 of his 21 appearances across all competitions and adding a goal, as well as an assist.
Martins also previously spent time with Spanish side Granada C.F. from 2014 to 2018, starting four of his seven…
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