Baltimore MD - Crystal Palace USA have announced the signing of Val Teixeira, a former Benfica Juniors player with over ten years of USL experience.  The 30 year old left-footed defender/midfielder is a native of Lisbon, Portugal.

Teixeira turned professional with Benfica Juniors in 1994 at the age of just 16.  The following year he moved to the US, signing with the Rhode Island Stingrays in the equivalent of USL2.  During his 6 years with the Stingrays, he was selected for the USL2 All-League First team.  In 2001, Teixeira joined Portuguese 2nd Division club GD Sanjoanense on loan for one season.  He returned to USL2 the following year, signing with the New Hampshire Phantoms.  Teixeira helped the Phantoms reach the semi-finals of the USL2 playoffs in his first year and was chosen for the team of the week on several occasions, both as a defender and a striker.

In 2003, Teixeira was selected to play for the New England Revolution in a friendly against the US Men’s National Team.

“We’re tremendously excited to have an established professional like Val.” said Sporting Director and Co-manager Jim Cherneski. “He’s strong, quick, great in the air, and he’s got a magical left foot.”

President and Co-manager Pete Medd added: “With the departure of our left back, Mateus dos Anjos, who did such a good job in that position last season, it left a gap that was going to be pretty tough to fill.  But with his experience and intelligence, we believe Val is the ideal replacement.  And his goal scoring abilities are just the icing on the cake.”