Adelaide United is delighted to announce the signing of Brazilian midfielder Anselmo de Moraes on a two-year contract ahead of the 2025/26 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Anselmo (36) brings a wealth of international experience, having played in Brazil, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. His time at Al-Wehda – where he shared the pitch with our own Craig Goodwin – highlighted his leadership, technical quality and winning mentality.
Standing at 182cm, Anselmo is known for his physical strength, tactical intelligence and versatility, capable of anchoring the midfield or driving forward in attack. Beyond his on-field impact, it is his mentorship and professionalism that make him a valuable addition to the Club.
On joining the Reds, Anselmo said:
“Estou feliz e muito motivado pela oportunidade de fazer parte da Reds Family, quero ajudar o Adelaide nos objetivos da temporada e proporcionar alegrias a nossa torcida.”
“I’m happy and very motivated by the opportunity to be part of the Reds Family. I want to help Adelaide achieve their season goals and bring joy to our fans.”
Anselmo began his career at Palmeiras in Brazil, making his senior debut in 2010 before enjoying loan spells with Grêmio Barueri and São Caetano. He then moved to Italy, where he featured in Serie A for Genoa and Palermo.
Returning to Brazil, Anselmo represented Joinville and Internacional before impressing on loan at Sport Recife with 40 appearances and five goals. His most successful spell came at Saudi Arabian club Al-Wehda, where across six seasons he made 128 appearances and scored 22 goals. In early 2025, he joined Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia, making two appearances before sealing his move to Adelaide.
Technical Director Ernest Faber said:
“Anselmo is more than just a player – he’s a role model. His experience and work ethic will lift the standards across the squad and provide important guidance to our younger talents. He shows real professionalism and takes care of his body the right way.
“This signing is a clear step in Adelaide United’s plan to develop future stars. With Anselmo’s leadership, our young players will learn every day from his habits, his understanding of the game and his winning mentality.”
Upon approval of his visa, Anselmo will join his new teammates for pre-season training as the Reds continue preparations for the 2025/26 season.
