FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution II has signed four players to MLS NEXT Pro professional contracts including three Brazilian players in forward Marcos Dias (pronounced maar-kows dee-ahs), defender José Ítalo (pronounced ho-ZAY ee-TAH-low), and midfielder Ryan Lima (pronounced REE-ahn LEE-ma), alongside defender Michael DeShields (pronounced duh-SHIELDS), pending league and federation approval and receipt of their international transfer certificates (ITC).

Dias, 20, comes to New England on a one-year loan from Brazilian club Vasco de Gama. The forward appeared in 87 matches, logging over 3,700 minutes, with 21 goals scored across all competitions. Dias’ career began with Palmeiras when he made 14 appearances as a 17-year-old during the 2018-19 season.

Ítalo, 20, joins Revolution II from Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, where he was a central part of their Under-20 side in 2021. The João Pessoa, Brazil native appeared in 24 matches with Flamengo’s U-20s last season, logging over 1,300 minutes played. The left back was also part of Rio de Janeiro’s Under-17 Copa do Brasil championship-winning team in 2018.

Ryan, 20, becomes the third youth player from Brazilian side Botafogo F.R. to sign a professional contract with New England Revolution II since the team’s foundation in 2020. Ryan joins New England after notching four goals in 29 matches for Botafogo’s Under-20 team this season across more than 1,200 minutes played. The Brazil native also played in two matches in the 2021 Campeonato Brasileiro playoffs as Botafogo advanced to the quarterfinals. Ryan debuted with Botafogo’s U-20s in 2020, appearing in 10 matches with one goal scored.

DeShields, 23, signed his first professional contract with Revolution II on Nov. 30, 2020, but did not appear with the team before joining D.C. United for the 2021 campaign. In his collegiate days, DeShields played in 60 games with 49 starts for Wake Forest University, logging over 4,000 minutes with three goals, including two game-winners.

With the signings of DeShields, Dias, Ítalo, and Ryan, the Revolution II roster currently stands at 14 professional players heading into the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season. Ten returning players from the 2021 roster, including four Revolution Academy graduates, are under contract for the 2022 season: Esmir Bajraktarevic, Pierre Cayet, Michel Costa da Silva, Hikaru Fujiwara, Yannik Oettl, Sean O’Hearn, Connor Presley, Marzuq Puckerin, Colby Quiñones, and Meny Silva.

In addition, the Revolution II squad is bolstered by amateur players from the Revolution Academy’s youth teams as they gain valuable developmental experience at the professional level. Through two seasons to date, 30 different players, including 18 current or former members of the Revolution Academy, have made their professional soccer debuts with the team.

As part of the club’s 2021 year-end roster moves, the following players are not returning to Revolution II in 2022: François Dulysse, Tyler Freitas, Tiago Mendonça, Dennis Ramirez, Joe Rice, and Ryan Sierakowski.

TRANSACTIONS: New England Revolution II signed forward Marcos Dias, defender Michael DeShields, defender José Ítalo, and midfielder Ryan Lima to MLS NEXT Pro professional contracts pending league and federation approval, and receipt of their ITCs, on Feb. 4, 2022.

MICHAEL DESHIELDS

• Pronunciation:            duh-SHIELDS
• Position:                     Defender
• Date of Birth:              4/23/1998 (23)
• Hometown:                 Baltimore, Md.
• Height:                        6’1”
• Weight:                       180
• Nationality:                 United States
• How Acquired:            Signed by Revolution II to a professional contract on Feb. 4, 2022.

 MARCOS DIAS

• Full Name:                  Marcos Domingos Dias
• Pronunciation:            maar-kows dee-ahs
• Position*:                     Forward Date of Birth:11/30/2001 (20)
• Hometown:                 Formoso Do Araguaia, Tocantins, Brazil
• Height*:                        5’11” Weight:                       165
• Nationality:Brazil
• How Acquired:            Signed to Revolution II to a professional contract on a one-year loan from Vasco de Gama on Feb. 4, 2022

JOSÈ ÍTALO

• Pronunciation:           ho-ZAY ee-tah-low Position:                     Defender Date of Birth:1/1/2001 (21)
• Hometown:João Pessoa, Brazil
• Height:                        5’10” Weight:                       163 lbs Nationality:Brazil
• How Acquired:           Signed by Revolution II to a professional contract on Feb. 4, 2022 from Clube de Regatas do Flamengo.

RYAN LIMA

• Pronunciation:           REE-ahn LEE-ma
• Position:                     Midfielder
• Date of Birth:              6/18/2001 (20)
• Hometown:                 Igarapava, Sao Paulo
• Height:                        5’6”
• Weight:                       150 lbs
• Nationality:                 Brazil
• How Acquired:           Signed by Revolution II to a professional contract on Feb. 4, 2022 from Botafogo F.R.