Luiz Fernando
- Years with club: 2018 (Loan)
- Position: Defensive Midfielder
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Acquisition: Acquired on loan from Fluminense FC (Brazil) for the 2018 MLS season
Luiz Fernando Ferreira Maximiano, known simply as Luiz Fernando, is a Brazilian defensive midfielder who spent the 2018 Major League Soccer (MLS) season on loan with Minnesota United FC. Known for his physical strength and tidy passing ability, he was brought in to provide a strong defensive presence in the midfield.
Key stats with Minnesota United (MLS, 2018):
- MLS regular season appearances: 11 (8 starts)
- MLS goals: 0
- MLS assists: 0
- Total minutes played: 689
- Noteworthy Match: Was sent off for a red card offense in a 4-1 loss against Sporting Kansas City on June 3, 2018.
- Departure: Minnesota United declined the purchase option on his loan at the conclusion of the 2018 season.
Memorable moments and honors (Pre-MNUFC):
- Fluminense Captain: He captained the Fluminense U-20 side that won the Brazilian National Championship in 2015.
- Slovakian Recognition: During a loan spell with ŠTK Šamorín in Slovakia, he was voted the best defensive midfielder in the Slovakian leagues by the country’s leading sports newspaper.
- Injury: His time in Minnesota was preceded by a recovery period from an ACL tear in his right knee, suffered in June 2017.
Where is he now?:
- Following his loan to Minnesota, Luiz Fernando continued his career with loans at América Mineiro (Brazil) and then played in Portugal and the Kuwaiti leagues.
- He most recently played for Al-Tadamon in Kuwait (2024).
- Luiz Fernando is currently an active defensive midfielder for Khaitan SC in the Kuwaiti Premier League, which he joined in 2024.
