Artur

BIOGRAPHY

José Artur de Lima Junior was born on March 11, 1996 in Brumado, Brazil. He is a midfielder in Major League Soccer.

Artur came through the youth ranks at Bahia, Juventus-SC, and São Paulo before breaking into the São Paulo first team in 2016. He made his senior debut for the Tricolor on June 19, 2016, part of a 2–2 draw with Flamengo, and his performance was rated highly by the Brazilian press. However, Artur finished the 2016 campaign with just four appearances, all in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

After impressing against Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew SC in a preseason match, Artur presently signed on loan with the American side on February 13, 2017. He made his debut for the club on March 4th, a substitute appearance as part of a 1–1, season-opening draw with Chicago Fire. Although Artur had initially appeared to be a depth signing for Crew SC, sitting behind Wil Trapp, Mohammed Abu, and Tony Tchani on the depth chart, he quickly forced his way into the Columbus starting lineup. Artur missed time early in the year after undergoing surgery on his left wrist, but still would end up starting 24 times during the regular season. In the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, Artur appeared three times; on October 31st, in the first leg of the conference semifinals against New York City FC, he tallied his first career goal in the 58th minute of a 4–1 Crew SC victory. Artur finished the season with a goal and three assists in 28 total appearances.

Following the season, reports from Brazil claimed that São Paulo wanted Artur to return to Brazil upon the expiry of his loan; although Columbus had an option to buy's Artur's rights, he was reportedly being offered a salary raise in order to entice him to return to the Tricolor. Columbus officially picked up Artur's MLS contract option in early December, while still trying to complete a deal with São Paulo. The transfer was confirmed on December 6, 2017, with Columbus paying $1.5 million for 50 percent of Artur's rights; São Paulo retained 20 percent, with Juventus-SC holding the final 30 percent. He made his second debut for Columbus on March 3, 2018, playing the full ninety minutes in a 2–0 victory over defending MLS Cup champions Toronto FC. Artur was further part of the Columbus squad that won the 2020 MLS Cup, making a total of 27 appearances and playing an instrumental part in Columbus's midfield.