FC Dallas has signed Joaquín Valiente from Uruguayan side Defensor Sporting Club. Valiente signed through the 2027-2028 season with club options for the 2028-2029 and 2029-2030 seasons.
He will occupy an international roster slot pending receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate.
Valiente joins FC Dallas after spending the 2025 season on loan with Ecuadorian Liga Pro Serie A side Barcelona Sporting Club. With the Guayaquil club, Valiente made a total of 48 appearances across all competitions, recording five goals and six assists.
The midfielder began his professional career with Defensor Sporting Club in the second division of Uruguay. In his first professional season, Valiente made 25 appearances across all competitions, recording three goals and four assists and helping the club earn promotion to the Liga AUF Uruguaya. Across three years in the Uruguayan top division, he made 79 appearances with 10 goals and 19 assists. With Defensor, Valiente won the Copa AUF Uruguaya in 2023 and 2024.
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BDS Take
Again it has to be said, Valiente won’t be a Designated Player for FC Dallas. The press release from the club also doesn’t mention anything about him being a TAM player. But based on the reported transfer fees for him, he should still end up being close to the TAM-line.
The 24-year old was seen at Thursday night’s Cocktails and Cleats fundraiser event for the club. The big question will come down to how quickly he can get up to speed with the club, as he is coming in at the very end of the preseason camp. While that shouldn’t be a big deal, I’m more curious to see how his fitness is when he does begin to train with the club.
The other thing to note here is he will be another player to occupy an international roster slot, which is something the club will have to go out and acquire additional slots via a trade. I hope to get more confirmation on that during Saturday’s final preseason friendly against Atlanta United.
