Ricardo Nascimento wants to win trophies with Mamelodi Sundowns

Ricardo Nascimento says joining Mamelodi Sundowns was an easy decision after leaving relegated Portuguese top-flight side Académica at the end of last season.

The 29-year-old Brazilian centre-back signed a three-year deal with Pitso Mosimane’s side and says the lure of silverware, and in particular playing in the CAF Champions League, helped him make his decision.

Nascimento had played for seven different clubs in the previous seven seasons, but has signed a long-term deal with Sundowns for what he hopes will be some stability in his career.

"I am very happy with this new challenge in my career,” he said. “I was very excited to join Sundowns as soon as I learned about the club through my agent Marcelo Robalinho.

“The club has a structure of top quality and the chance to win the national championship, and also the compete in the African Champions League, attracted me a lot.

“I look forward to helping the team win these titles and I hope we are in the next Club World Cup.”

Nascimento was a junior with the Rio Branco club in Sao Paulo before joining giants Figueirense.

He failed to make the breakthrough there and moved to Portugal, where he signed for second-tier side Penafiel in 2009.

He was snapped up by Portimonense after that, and also had a spell in Romania with Astra Ploiesti having also briefly returned to Brazil.

After a successful spell with Portuguese second-tier side Moreirense in 2013/14, he signed for top-flight side Académica.

He played 54 league games in two seasons for the team, though last campaign was not his best – he was red carded twice and scored two own goals as the team was relegated, finishing bottom of the league.

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