From Benchwarmer to Ball-Wizard: How Xande Silva (#45) Turned St. Louis City SC Into His Personal Playground
There’s a new name to watch in St. Louis. Xande Silva, number 45, landed with St. Louis City SC earlier this year after a trade from Atlanta United. Silva brings pace, creativity, and a direct attacking style that instantly gives the club more options in midfield and out wide.
Silva grew up in Porto, Portugal, and honed his game in Europe before jumping to MLS. He spent time at West Ham United and Dijon, then made his way to Atlanta, where fans quickly noticed his attacking spark. Along the way, he played for Portugal’s youth national teams and spent time at Vitória Guimarães. That mix of experience seems to fit pretty well with a growing MLS team.
Now, you get to see how Silva fits into Bradley Carnell’s plans in St. Louis. The club traded allocation money for him, which says a lot about their faith in his potential. With a strong résumé and the flexibility to play almost anywhere up front, Silva gives City SC both immediate depth and future upside.
Contents
Player Profile and Background
Silva brings European experience, international credentials, and attacking versatility to Major League Soccer. His journey from Portugal to St. Louis shows steady growth and a knack for adapting on the pitch.
Full Name and Personal Details
His full name is Alexandre Nascimento da Costa e Silva. Born March 16, 1997, in Porto, Portugal, he’s now 28. At 5’10” and 150 lbs, he has the build of a modern winger—quick and agile.
You’ll find him as #45 on the St. Louis CITY SC roster. He joined the team in 2024 after a short but memorable stint with Atlanta United.
Silva didn’t follow the U.S. college path. Instead, he built his career in Portugal’s youth system, bouncing between academies before going pro. That early training sharpened his technical skills and set him up for tougher competition.
Quick Facts:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alexandre Nascimento da Costa e Silva |
| Date of Birth | March 16, 1997 |
| Height | 5’10” |
| Weight | 150 lbs |
| Jersey Number | #45 |
| Club | St. Louis CITY SC |
Country of Origin and Citizenship
Silva hails from Porto, Portugal, a city with deep soccer roots. Growing up there meant he got top coaching and tough competition from the start.
As a Portuguese citizen, he comes from a country famous for producing top wingers and forwards. He followed that tradition, playing in Europe before heading to MLS.
In MLS, Silva fills an international roster spot for St. Louis CITY SC. That status highlights both his European background and the league’s global flavor.
Portugal’s soccer culture values technical skill, quick thinking, and creative attacking. You can see those traits in Silva’s play, especially when he takes on defenders or finds space near the box.
Position and Playing Style
Silva mainly lines up as a left winger, but coaches have used him as a forward or attacking mid too. That versatility gives his team more options up front.
He loves going right at defenders. Silva’s right foot lets him cut inside from the left, looking to shoot or combine with teammates. That kind of movement creates lanes for overlapping fullbacks.
His biggest strengths? Speed, agility, and the ability to beat players one-on-one. Silva shines in transition, stretching defenses with direct runs.
He doesn’t score a ton, but he creates chances and pulls defenders out of position. His job is often about breaking up defensive shapes so others can get better looks at goal.
For St. Louis CITY SC, Silva’s adaptability and attacking instincts add real value to the front line. He fits the team’s aggressive, high-tempo approach and gives them depth in several attacking spots.
St. Louis City SC Transfer and Contract
Xande Silva made the move to St. Louis City SC from Atlanta United in a deal that balanced roster needs with financial strategy. The club brought him in just before the Primary Transfer Window closed, making sure he’d be eligible for the rest of the 2025 season.
Acquisition from Atlanta United
St. Louis City SC waited until late in the MLS Primary Transfer Window, then moved fast to get Silva. They needed more attacking depth, and Silva’s ability to play wide or central made him a smart pick.
He joined Atlanta United in 2023, putting up 40 league appearances, four goals, and seven assists. He showed flashes of creativity, especially in the playoffs, where he scored twice against Columbus Crew.
Before Atlanta, Silva bounced around Europe—West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Dijon, and Aris Thessaloniki. He came up through Sporting CP and Vitória Guimarães, debuting professionally in 2015. That kind of international background gave St. Louis confidence he’d be ready for MLS action.
Transfer Terms and Financial Details
The trade used General Allocation Money (GAM), which is pretty standard in MLS. Atlanta United got a guaranteed $100,000 GAM in 2025, with a chance for another $150,000 GAM in 2026 if Silva hits certain targets. So, the deal could reach $250,000 GAM if all goes well.
St. Louis City SC took on Silva’s 2025 pro-rated salary budget charge. His annual salary? $604,250—that’s now on St. Louis’s books for the rest of the season.
| Year | Guaranteed GAM to Atlanta | Incentives | Potential Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $100,000 | — | $100,000 |
| 2026 | — | $150,000 | $150,000 |
| Total | — | — | $250,000 |
This kind of deal gave Atlanta some flexibility for future moves, while St. Louis got an immediate boost in attack.
Special Discovery Tag and Salary Budget
Atlanta United kept Silva’s Special Discovery tag—a roster rule that lets clubs sign certain players outside normal limits. By holding onto it, Atlanta stays flexible if Silva moves again inside MLS.
For St. Louis City SC, the main thing was absorbing Silva’s pro-rated salary budget charge. That counts against the 2025 salary cap, but the club had room. Silva also filled their last international roster slot, so any new foreign signings will need a corresponding move.
Silva’s contract runs through 2025, with an option for 2026. That gives St. Louis some control if they want to keep him longer, making this a pretty low-risk move for a player who’s already proven himself in MLS.
Silva, who played in Vitória Guimarães’ academy before going pro, now starts a new chapter in St. Louis with his salary and roster status set.
Role and Impact at St. Louis City SC
Silva adds pace, direct attacking movement, and technical skill to St. Louis City SC. His role mixes traditional midfield work with the instincts of a left winger, giving the club another threat up front and helping out in defensive transitions.
Midfield Responsibilities
He’s listed as a midfielder, but let’s be honest—his game is all about attack. At 5’10” and 150 pounds, Silva uses quick cuts to find space down the left. His right foot lets him cut inside for shots or passes.
He doesn’t drop deep like a holding mid. Instead, Silva presses high, closes passing lanes, and tries to win the ball back fast. That pressing style fits St. Louis City SC’s system, which is built on team pressure, not just one defensive anchor.
He links midfield to attack, stretching defenses and opening up passing lanes for central players. When City struggles to create, Silva’s ability to drive forward matters.
| Role | Key Actions | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Attacking Midfield | Cut inside, cross, shoot | Creates scoring chances |
| Defensive Pressure | Press high, force turnovers | Helps maintain tempo |
| Transition Play | Quick dribbles, link passes | Moves team upfield |
Squad Number and Representation
Silva wears No. 45 for St. Louis City SC. Numbers can mean something personal, but here it mostly makes him easy to spot. Wide players in MLS don’t always go with traditional numbers, and Silva’s choice shows some personality.
When you catch City games, look for 45 out wide on the left, pushing into the box. His presence adds another layer to the attack, especially with overlapping fullbacks.
Fans often connect with players by their numbers. Wearing 45 makes Silva stand out on a roster where most midfielders have lower numbers. It’s a little different, but it works.
Contribution to Team Tactics
St. Louis brought Silva in to fix a real problem: not enough goals from the wings. The team had one of the league’s lowest scoring attacks, and Silva gives them a different look compared to their other wingers.
You’ll notice his tactical role when City pushes forward. Silva stays wide to stretch the defense, then cuts inside to shoot or link up. That keeps defenders guessing and frees up space for the central forwards.
His pressing is just as important. St. Louis City SC thrives on quick turnovers, and Silva’s energy helps drive that. He’s not a big scorer yet, but his work in the buildup and on defense makes a difference beyond just stats.
Silva, who played college soccer at West Virginia University, keeps adapting his style to MLS. His mix of speed, pressing, and direct play gives City both depth and flexibility in a tough league.
Career History and Previous Clubs
Silva’s story is shaped by strong Portuguese development, tough European experience, and now, a growing MLS role. He’s moved through respected academies, competitive clubs, and a series of moves that built both skill and resilience.
Youth Development and Early Career
Silva grew up in Porto, Portugal, where soccer is a way of life. He started out at Sporting CP’s academy, one of the country’s best youth systems. That’s where he picked up his technical skills and discipline.
He later moved to Belenenses, a Lisbon club known for giving young players first-team minutes. That switch mattered—he broke into senior football at just 18.
With Belenenses, Silva got his first taste of Portugal’s top league, the Primeira Liga. Facing older, tougher competition helped him adapt quickly to the physical and tactical side of the pro game.
Youth Pathway
- Sporting CP Academy: Technical foundation
- Belenenses: First senior appearances
- Portugal youth national teams: U17 through U21 caps
Professional Experience in Portugal
After he made his mark at Belenenses, Silva decided to sign with Vitória Guimarães. This club has a strong reputation for developing young Portuguese players, so it seemed like a natural next step. You could really see his potential when he faced tougher competition.
At Guimarães, Silva bounced between the first team and the B squad. He played all over the front line, but coaches usually put him out wide as a winger. His pace and those one-on-one moves? Those really set him apart.
He also got the call to represent Portugal’s U21 national team during European qualifiers. These games put him under international pressure and pushed him to sharpen his attacking decisions.
Primeira Liga Record with Vitória Guimarães
| Season | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 16 | 2 | 1 |
European Club Journey
Silva’s career took a big turn when he moved to West Ham United in England. He mostly played with the U23s, but he did make his Premier League debut in 2018. That debut proved he could handle a faster and more physical league.
He then went on loan to Aris Thessaloniki in Greece, where he finally got regular first-team minutes. In the Greek Super League, he showed off his speed and direct style, even when facing organized defenses.
After that, Silva joined Dijon FCO in France’s Ligue 2. Playing for Dijon, he found some consistency, scoring goals and setting up teammates in a tough league. That run of form eventually led to a move to MLS with Atlanta United, and later to St. Louis CITY SC.
European Clubs Played For
- West Ham United, England
- Aris Thessaloniki, Greece
- Dijon FCO, France
MLS Performance and Statistics
You can really gauge Xande Silva’s impact in MLS by looking at his appearances and what he’s done in the attack. Atlanta United gave him a solid foundation, and now, with St. Louis CITY SC, he’s finding new ways to contribute.
Appearances and Goals
Silva joined MLS with Atlanta United and racked up 40 league appearances, starting 27 times. He scored 4 goals, which is a steady return for a winger who spends most of his time out wide.
Since moving to St. Louis CITY SC, Silva has kept earning regular minutes. Standing at 5’10” and weighing 150 pounds, he uses his quick feet and balance to create space and stay active up front. His knack for stretching defenses has made him a go-to option.
Here’s a quick look at Silva’s MLS numbers:
| Club | MLS Appearances | Goals | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta United | 40 | 4 | 27 |
| St. Louis CITY SC | Ongoing | — | — |
Silva, who learned the game in Portugal before stops in England, Greece, and France, keeps adapting to MLS with a pretty steady hand.
Assists and Key Contributions
Silva’s influence isn’t just about goals. With Atlanta United, he notched 7 assists, often setting up chances from the left wing. His crosses and ability to pull defenders out of position created a lot of space for others.
At St. Louis CITY SC, coaches have used him in different attacking setups. His right-footed crosses from the wing have added a new wrinkle, especially when paired with strikers who love a good delivery.
Silva’s work rate is hard to miss. He presses high, forces mistakes, and helps move the ball forward in transition. That mix of defensive hustle and attacking output makes him valuable in MLS, where you really need players who can do a bit of everything.
He didn’t come through the U.S. college system—he developed in Portugal’s academy scene. You can see that technical base in how he passes and moves.
MLS Cup Playoffs Record
Silva’s standout MLS moments came in the 2023 playoffs with Atlanta United. He scored in both legs against Columbus Crew in the first round, showing he can deliver when the pressure’s on. Those goals showed his timing and finishing when defenses get tight.
For a player who isn’t always in the spotlight, stepping up in the playoffs means a lot. These games demand efficiency, and Silva proved he could meet that challenge. His performance gave Atlanta a real shot, even though they didn’t advance.
Now with St. Louis CITY SC, Silva brings that playoff experience into a new locker room. If the team makes another postseason run, you have to think he’ll be counted on for both goals and creativity when it matters most.
You can keep up with Silva’s MLS stats and updates on Transfermarkt and his player page at MLSsoccer.com.
International Experience and Recognition
Xande Silva’s career has taken him to several leagues and countries, giving him a pretty broad perspective on the game. He’s had moments of recognition that show off both his skill and his ability to adapt.
Competitions in Multiple Countries
Silva started out in Portugal with Sporting CP’s academy before heading to Vitória Guimarães. Playing in the Primeira Liga gave him early exposure to top-flight football at home.
He later moved to West Ham United in England and made some Premier League appearances. Even though he didn’t get a ton of minutes, training in that environment sharpened his technical and physical game.
A loan stint at Aris Thessaloniki in Greece tested his consistency in a brand-new setting. He adjusted fast and proved he could contribute outside of Portugal. Afterward, his move to Dijon in France’s Ligue 2 gave him regular playing time and a chance to show off his attacking instincts.
By the time he landed in Major League Soccer—first with Atlanta United, then moving to St. Louis City SC—Silva had built a résumé that spanned multiple countries. That background helps him fit into different tactical systems and locker rooms.
Career Clubs by Country
| Country | Club(s) | Competition Level |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Sporting CP, Vitória Guimarães | Primeira Liga |
| England | West Ham United | Premier League |
| Greece | Aris Thessaloniki | Super League |
| France | Dijon | Ligue 2 |
| USA | Atlanta United, St. Louis City | Major League Soccer |
Notable Achievements and Honors
Silva picked up recognition at the youth international level with Portugal. He represented the country from the U15s all the way through the U21s.
He managed to score in UEFA youth competitions. Those goals definitely caught the eye of clubs outside Portugal, which is no small feat for a young player.
During his time with Atlanta United, Silva stepped up as a reliable attacking option. He found the net in some crucial matches—including a late playoff goal against Inter Miami—so you could say he earned a bit of a reputation as a clutch performer.
St. Louis City SC brought him in, clearly seeing the value in his experience and versatility. MLS clubs seem to appreciate players who can adapt and bring something extra.
Sure, Silva hasn’t cracked Portugal’s senior national team yet. Still, those call-ups at so many youth levels say a lot about his international pedigree.
He’s kept his name in the mix thanks to consistent play in MLS. That’s not easy, considering the competition.
Silva’s journey really shows a player who’s earned respect through persistence and adaptability. He finds ways to contribute in different leagues, and that steady professionalism is exactly what clubs search for when building a solid roster.
