Wélton (footballer)

Wélton Araújo Melo (born 17 April 1975 in Cambuci, Rio de Janeiro) is a former Brazilian footballer who played professionally as either a forward or midfielder in South America, Europe and the United States, including five season in Major League Soccer.

Club career
In 1994, Welton began his professional career with Fluminense. In 1996, Major League Soccer invited him to a tryout where he was offered an MLS contract. The league then assigned him to the New England Revolution, where he was a 1996 MLS All Star. On 10 March 1997, New England traded Welton to the Los Angeles Galaxy for the Galaxy's first round pick in the 1998 MLS Supplemental Draft. On 1 June 1999, the Galaxy traded Welton to the MetroStars in exchange for Roy Myers. Later that day, the MetroStars sent Welton, Eric Wynalda and Arley Palacios to the Miami Fusion. In April 2001, Welton moved to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL A-League. In 2002, he played for Paraná and in 2003, he was with and Fredrikstad FK in Norway. On 4 April 2004, Welton moved to the Seattle Sounders of the USL First Division.

Melo currently resides in the Seattle area and plays on a local team.

International career
Welton played once for the Brazil youth team at the 1995 Pan American Games, against Bermuda.

Individual

 * MLS All-Star: 1996, 1998