PEORIA, Ill. – Get to know more about Bradley Soccer Joao Saraiva.

Saraiva, originally from Setúbal, Portugal, is one of the few new faces in Bradley's roster, coming from Jefferson College.

Saraiva started playing soccer when he was eight years old. He joined Grupo Desportivo Fabril when he was eight and left when he was 14. Between 14 and 15, the Portuguese played for Belenenses. One year later, he returned to Grupo Desportivo Fabril and played there until he was 18. Saraiva played in the third division of Portugal, even facing world-known clubs like Fútbol Club Oporto.

Saraiva moved to the United States and played at Jefferson College for three seasons before joining the Braves. 

"The first year [at Jefferson] was pretty good even though we did not make it to nationals, and then the second year we kind of struggled, the third year we made it to nationals, so I was pretty confident I was gonna get a good scholarship because I was playing well," Saraiva said. "Bradley came up, and it was like the perfect opportunity, close to where I was, close to people that I already met in America, so it was like a blessing,"

Saraiva is thankful for many things in life, but the one he is most grateful for is soccer. 

"Definitely the opportunity that was given to me and being able to get an education and just play at a really good level in America and compete," Saraiva said.

At Bradley, Saraiva has made many friendships and memories. His favorite thing about Bradley is the people and the midsize campus feel.

"My teammates and the people, our coaches. They are very helpful. Even Coach DeRose helped us a lot when he was here. Now, Coach Regan, he is doing a great job." Saraiva said. "Definitely the facilities and not having to walk like 20 minutes to get from one point of the campus to the other, that is pretty good,"

Saraiva shares that not everything was easy when arriving at BU, as he was not used to the physical tests performed before the start of the season.

"It was kind of a shock, the tests, the fitness tests with coach DeRose. Those are kind of hard. Coming from a European culture where fitness is with the ball, and you kind of just play through, and you build your fitness. Here, just starting to run to build fitness is something new definitely, it was hard to get used to,"

Saraiva finished the 2023 season with 969 minutes played, 13 starts, and two goals scored. He looks up to players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva.

"I think my teammates trust me a lot with the ball. They know that if they pass me the ball, I will do something good with it," Saraiva said. "I would not say I'm the most physical player, but I'm definitely competitive, and people on the team know that"

Saraiva shared what it means to represent Bradley.

"Definitely feels good to represent Bradley and play under coach Tim Regan…it is a good honor, hopefully we will have a good season and bring up Bradley's name," Saraiva said.

Soccer is his passion, and in the future, he wants to stay close to it as long as possible.

"I want to play after college. I don't know if it's in America or Europe. I want to complete my degree and get out of here with an education. If not possible, move into coaching. I want to stay for as many years as possible close to soccer,"

Watch Saraiva as he takes the field at Shea Stadium during the 2024 spring season.