Hearts of Pine Sign Portuguese Midfielder

Diogo Barbosa, 30, joins the USL League One club after playing across Europe and Australia.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Portland Hearts of Pine announced the signing of 30-year-old Portuguese midfielder Diogo Barbosa on Thursday, nine days before the start of the 2026 USL League One season. Barbosa joins the Hearts of Pine from Gzira United F.C. in Malta and has played in several countries, including England, Cyprus, Australia, and Bulgaria, but this will be his first time playing in the United States.

Why it matters

The signing of an experienced, well-traveled player like Barbosa is seen as a coup for the Hearts of Pine as they look to build on a promising 2025 season and compete for a USL League One championship in 2026.

The details

Barbosa started his senior career in the fourth tier of Portuguese soccer in 2015 and has since played for clubs in England's National League South, Cyprus, Australia, and Bulgaria. Hearts of Pine head coach Bobby Murphy praised Barbosa's size and ability to cover ground in the midfield, saying the team is "super fortunate" to have him.

  • The Hearts of Pine announced Barbosa's signing on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
  • The 2026 USL League One season opener is scheduled for March 14, 2026 against the New York Cosmos.

The players

Diogo Barbosa

A 30-year-old Portuguese midfielder who has played across Europe and in Australia, and is now joining the Portland Hearts of Pine in the USL League One.

Bobby Murphy

The head coach of the Portland Hearts of Pine.

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What they’re saying

“Diogo brings us a different profile in the midfield. He's bigger, he can cover more ground. We're super fortunate to have him here and we think he'll have a huge impact.”

— Bobby Murphy, Hearts of Pine Head Coach (Hearts of Pine Press Release)

What’s next

The Hearts of Pine will face the New York Cosmos in their 2026 USL League One season opener on March 14, 2026.

The takeaway

The signing of experienced Portuguese midfielder Diogo Barbosa is a significant move for the Portland Hearts of Pine as they look to build on their 2025 season and compete for a USL League One championship in 2026.