Phoenix Rising FC signed midfielder Federico “Fede” Varela on December 21, 2022.
Varela helped Phoenix to its first USL Championship with two goals and two assists in 26 appearances last season.
Varela was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before moving to Spain and beginning his youth career at Viveiro CF and Celta de Vigo. He began his pro career at the age of 18 with Porto B in the Portuguese second division. There, Varela scored 16 goals and had seven assists in 54 appearances before earning a 12-game loan spell with first division side, Portimonense.
Varela was loaned to Spanish second division sides Rayo Majadahonda and Las Palmas in 2019-20. He scored four goals and had six assists in 58 appearances before signing with Denizlispor for seven games in the Turkish first division in 2021. Varela spent the 2022 season with CSKA Sofia in the Bulgarian first division, where he racked up seven assists in 30 matches.