Union sign defender Anderson Conceição

The Philadelphia Union have signed center back Anderson Conceição on loan for the 2016 season from Tombense FC, pending receipt of a P-1 Visa and international transfer certificate (ITC), the club announced late Wednesday afternoon.

Conceição, who is 26 years old, is contracted to Tombense but played for America Mineiro in 2015 where he helped his club reach promotion to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, the highest division for soccer in Brazil.

"Anderson's natural athletic ability and winning pedigree was really something we zeroed in on during our offseason assessment," Sporting Director Earnie Stewart said. "He's the type of defender who really addressed some of our technical needs and we strongly believe we're getting someone who is committed to helping build the next chapter of our club."

In 2015, Conceição, who is listed at six-foot-two, appeared in 30 matches for Mineiro, and also spent some time with La Liga side RCD Mallorca during the 2012-2013 season where he appeared in 19 matches.