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MBU’s Brazilian adjusts, ready to help
January 12, 2024
Adjusting to the physical nature of the competition's players was the most difficult challenge in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) for Montego Bay United's (MBU) Brazilian midfielder Jean Claudio Rios Ferreira.
The 28-year-old, who signed on with the St James-based MBU in the summer with three other Brazilians, is pleased with how quickly he adapted to playing in the JPL.
"I realised very early that football here in Jamaica is based on strength and contact, but I have already adapted to that, and I am working really hard to get MoBay more three points because we need it so much," he told STAR Sport recently.
"Overall, I am happy with the performance, but I am still finding ways to improve."
Ferreira, who has played all 13 of MBU's matches, has scored two goals and has provided six assists, and for the second round, he is looking to improve those statistics.
"I am very keen on numbers. I have six assists and two goals, which are good numbers, but I am still fighting and striving to improve those numbers. I do not have a target, but I want to get as many assists and goals because it will benefit the team as a whole," he reasoned.
Ferreira played for several clubs in Brazil's lower divisions, including Artsul, where he started his career as an 18-year-old; Serrano-RJ; Nova Cidade; Belford Roxo and Guapore.
He said he enjoys playing in the league and thanked the fans for making him feel welcome.
"After each match, MoBay fans come up and want to take pictures and encourage me, saying I'm a good 'baller. When we go to the barber shop or downtown, people always approach us and praise us.
"So the reception from Jamaican people has been really great. They are very nice people. I am very thankful," he commented through MBU's Brazilian coach Neider Dos Santos, who acted as a translator.
He added that his aim for this season is to help MBU make the JPL play-offs.
"The main target is to get into the top six, and then we see what happens," Ferreira said.
The other Brazilians at MBU are forward Hudson Moreira Francisco, midfielder Lucas Lima Correa, and goalkeeper William Ferreira Veira.
