Sergio Santos Bio
Sérgio Henrique Santos Gomes (born 4 September 1994) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward in Major League Soccer. Born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, he began his development in the youth ranks of América Mineiro before moving to South America and then to North America, where he has spent most of his senior career. He is widely known for his scoring ability, highlighted by a hat trick for Philadelphia Union against Toronto FC, and he most recently lined up for Atlanta United after a brief spell with Houston Dynamo.
Early Life and Background
Sérgio Henrique Santos Gomes was born on 4 September 1994 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. He grew up in the Ana Lúcia neighborhood of the city, where his family faced financial pressure during his childhood. To help support his family, Santos worked as a bricklayer and construction worker while continuing to pursue his passion for football.
At the age of nine, Santos joined the youth setup at América Mineiro, the club where he first began his formal development as a professional footballer. The early years at América Mineiro provided him with a structured environment to grow, and he progressed through the club’s academy over the following years.
Path to Soccer
After years of development in the América Mineiro academy, Santos took the next step by moving abroad to Chile to pursue a professional contract. In 2014, he began exploring professional options in the Chilean top flight, opening negotiations with Palestino and Magallanes before settling on Audax Italiano. His youth contract with América Mineiro ran through 2013, after which he spent a transitional period before completing his move to Chile.
His time in the Audax Italiano youth system prepared him for the demands of senior football in Chile’s Primera División. By 2015, Santos had earned a place in the first team, setting the stage for his professional debut and the start of his senior career in South American football.
Sergio Santos Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Sérgio Henrique Santos Gomes began his senior career with Audax Italiano in the Chilean Primera División, where he developed into a consistent goal-scorer over four seasons. He became the club’s leading scorer in 2018, finishing the campaign with nine goals in 16 league appearances.
During his time at Audax Italiano, Santos helped the club qualify for the 2018 Copa Sudamericana and reach the Copa Chile final, where the side finished as runners-up to Palestino. In August 2018, he signed a contract extension with the Chilean club through mid-2020, signaling his growing importance to the team.
Philadelphia Union Breakthrough (2019–2022)
On 14 December 2018, Sérgio Henrique Santos Gomes signed with Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union in a deal worth approximately $500,000 in transfer fee, arriving as a Targeted Allocation Money level player. After a slow start due to injuries, he scored his first two goals for the Union on 5 May 2019 in a 6–1 victory over New England Revolution. He finished his first MLS season with four goals and one assist.
The 2020 season, disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, became the defining campaign of Santos’s MLS career. He scored the first goal of the Union’s season against Los Angeles FC and later netted his first professional hat trick against Toronto FC in October, the fourth hat trick in Union history, earning him MLS Player of the Week honors. He led the team with eight goals as Philadelphia Union captured the 2020 Supporters’ Shield, the club’s first major trophy.
FC Cincinnati Era (2022–2025)
On 8 July 2022, Sérgio Henrique Santos Gomes was acquired by FC Cincinnati from the Philadelphia Union in a trade involving $300,000 in allocation money, with an additional $625,000 contingent on performance-based metrics. Philadelphia also retained a percentage of any future trade. His time at FC Cincinnati ended on 22 August 2025, when the club waived him.
Houston Dynamo Era (2025)
On 2 September 2025, Santos signed with Houston Dynamo, joining the club with a team option for the 2026 season. Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, Houston declined his contract option, opening the door for his next move.
Atlanta United Era (2026–Present)
On 18 February 2026, Sérgio Henrique Santos Gomes was signed by Atlanta United for the 2026 season, where he wears the number 19 shirt. His arrival added experienced scoring depth to the Atlanta roster as the club shaped its squad for the new campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Standing 1.80 meters tall, Santos plays as a forward with a nose for goal in and around the penalty area. His strengths include clinical finishing, movement off the ball, and the ability to capitalize on chances in high-volume attacking moments, as demonstrated by his hat trick against Toronto FC and his eight-goal output during the 2020 Supporters’ Shield campaign.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Santos’s career are his 2018 form with Audax Italiano that produced a Copa Sudamericana qualification and a Copa Chile final appearance, his hat trick for Philadelphia Union against Toronto FC in 2020, and his role in helping Philadelphia Union win the 2020 Supporters’ Shield. His transitions between three different MLS clubs within six years underline his longevity in the league.
Sergio Santos Career Wins
Across his senior career with Audax Italiano, Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati, Houston Dynamo, and Atlanta United, Santos has built a reputation as a dependable goal-scorer. His most decorated stretch came in 2020 with Philadelphia Union, when his attacking contributions helped deliver the club’s first major trophy.
Audax Italiano Highlights
During his time at Audax Italiano between 2015 and 2018, Santos became the club’s leading scorer in his final season, finishing with nine goals in 16 league appearances. He also helped the club reach the Copa Chile final as a runner-up to Palestino and qualify for the 2018 Copa Sudamericana.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his Chilean output, Santos registered four goals and one assist in his debut MLS season with Philadelphia Union in 2019. He then led Philadelphia Union with eight goals during the 2020 Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign, the highest tally on the team that year.
Sergio Santos Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Sérgio Henrique Santos Gomes grew up in the Ana Lúcia neighborhood of Belo Horizonte, where his family relied on additional income during his childhood. As a young boy, he worked alongside his family as a bricklayer and construction worker, an experience that shaped his grounded approach to professional football.
Personal Life
Santos is a Brazilian national who relocated from Brazil to Chile in 2014 and later to the United States in 2018 to continue his professional career. Publicly available details about his marital status, spouse, or children have not been disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transition for Sérgio Henrique Santos Gomes. After being waived by FC Cincinnati on 22 August 2025, he joined Houston Dynamo on 2 September 2025 with a club option for 2026. He linked up with the Houston squad for the closing stretch of the MLS campaign, offering experience and finishing depth down the stretch.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, Houston Dynamo declined his contract option, ending his short spell with the club. The decision set the stage for his next chapter in Major League Soccer, which came in February 2026 when Atlanta United signed him for the new season.
Looking ahead, Santos enters 2026 with Atlanta United wearing the number 19 shirt, bringing a track record of scoring in MLS and Chilean football to a club looking to add veteran presence in its attacking lines.
