The San Francisco Deltas announced the signing of Nana Attakora, Jackson Henrique Gonçalves Pereira, and Romuald Peiser this morning. The trio are the first announced players for the team’s inaugural season in 2017.
“We’re moving forward in the direction we want to put the team on the map in San Francisco,” said Deltas head coach Marc Dos Santos. “We’re serious about what we’re doing, and we want to be successful building this team.”
All three have spent significant time playing up north and appear well known to Canadian national Dos Santos.
Defender Nana Attakora is a Canadian international who played in the MLS for Toronto FC from 2007-2011. He was a starting center back for Toronto before being traded to the San Jose Earthquakes in 2011. In 2012, Attakora played for the Finnish club Haka before coming back to the MLS to play for the Quakes and DC United. He moved to the NASL in 2015 and played for the San Antonio Scorpions that year and Ft. Lauderdale Strikers in 2016. “He’s proven his ability on the national and professional stages,” stated Deltas head coach Marc Dos Santos. “He gives us strength on the back line.”
Brazillian Winger Jackson Henrique Gonçalves Pereira, known simply as “Jackson,” has played in the MLS for FC Dallas and Toronto FC. He was part of the 2010 Dallas squad that reached the MLS Cup Final and compiled 11 goals and 13 assists in 96 games for the team. At Toronto, Jackson proved an all-purpose player, even starting at right back. He was cut after the 2015 season to free up salary-cap space. “Jackson is a powerful player,” said Dos Santos. “To have his experience and versatility is critical for us in our expansion year.”
French keeper Romuald Peiser played in several European leagues before spending the past three seasons in the NASL for the Ottawa Fury. He was named the Golden Glove winner in 2015 for the league while setting the record for consecutive shutout minutes. “We have a goalkeeper who knows the North American scene,” noted Dos Santos, who coached Peiser on his Fury team that reached the 2015 NASL championship game. “We need this type of player to build our squad from the back.”
Although the three will be playing in Deltas uniforms next season, it is not certain which league they will end up in. Since the conclusion of the NASL season, several teams have left or are considering leaving the league.
The United States Soccer Federation put off re-sanctioning the NASL as the second division of American soccer till the end of this week. FiftyFive.one reported the NASL will fold and be absorbed into the United Soccer Leagues (USL), which is also petitioning to become a second division league in the United States.
Other online reports have said that the NASL may merge with the USL or it may continue as a separate independent league with several teams.
