Wélton (footballer)

Wélton Araújo Melo (born 17 April 1975 in Cambuci, Rio de Janeiro) is a former Brazilian footballer who played professionally as either a forward or midfielder in South America, Europe and the United States, including five season in Major League Soccer.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Araújo and the second or paternal family name is Melo.
Wélton
Personal information
Full name Wélton Araújo Melo
Date of birth (1975-04-17) 17 April 1975
Place of birth Cambuci, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Striker / Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994 Fluminense
1995 Flamengo
1995 América (RJ)
1996 New England Revolution 29 (3)
1997–1998 Los Angeles Galaxy 69 (28)
1999–2000 Miami Fusion 46 (12)
2001 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 25 (6)
2002 Paraná
2003 Fredrikstad FK 24 (5)
2004–2005 Seattle Sounders 48 (14)
International career
1995 Brazil (youth) 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

In 1994, Welton began his professional career with Fluminense. In 1996, Major League Soccer invited him to a tryout where he was offered an MLS contract. The league then assigned him to the New England Revolution, where he was a 1996 MLS All Star. On 10 March 1997, New England traded Welton to the Los Angeles Galaxy for the Galaxy's first round pick in the 1998 MLS Supplemental Draft.[1] On 1 June 1999, the Galaxy traded Welton to the MetroStars in exchange for Roy Myers. Later that day, the MetroStars sent Welton, Eric Wynalda and Arley Palacios to the Miami Fusion.[2] In April 2001, Welton moved to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL A-League.[3] In 2002, he played for Paraná and in 2003, he was with and Fredrikstad FK in Norway. On 4 April 2004, Welton moved to the Seattle Sounders of the USL First Division.[4]

Melo currently resides in the Seattle area and plays on a local team.

International career

Welton played once for the Brazil youth team at the 1995 Pan American Games, against Bermuda.[5]

Honors

Individual

References
  1. "SoccerAmerica - MLS: New England trades Welton to Galaxy 03/10/1997". www.socceramerica.com.
  2. Yannis, Alex (2 June 1999). "PLUS: SOCCER -- METROSTARS; Trades Clear Path For Foreigners". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  3. "USL Fans". uslfans.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013.
  4. "Sounders sign Welton".
  5. "Seleção Brasileira Restritiva".
  6. "2018 New England Revolution Media Guide – Stats and Records" (PDF). pp. 1–2. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  7. "1998 MLS All-Star Game". MLSsoccer.com. 2 August 1998. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
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