Updated through December 12, 2020
Columbus (2020): Artur made 22 regular-season appearances (20 starts as a center-midfielder). The midfielder made his 2020 regular-season debut as a starter on Opening Match against New York City FC (March 1), before starting on the road against Seattle Sounders FC (March 7), where he was later named to the MLS Team of the Week (Week 2). He then made two starts in the MLS is Back Tournament Group Stage, starting against FC Cincinnati* (July 11) and Atlanta United* (July 21), while making a substitute appearance against the New York Red Bulls* (July 16). Artur made a total of four appearances (three starts) during the MLS is Back Tournament. He started at home against Chicago Fire FC (August 20) and made a substitute appearance on the road at New York City FC (August 24). The midfielder made starts on the road against FC Cincinnati (August 29), at home against Philadelphia Union (September 2) providing his second regular-season assist and started at home against FC Cincinnati (September 6). Artur then started on the road against Chicago Fire FC (September 12) before starting and providing an assist at home against Nashville SC (September 19) and starting at home against Minnesota United FC (September 23). He made five consecutive starts from September 27 through October 18, notably scoring his first-ever goal in MLS regular-season action at home against New York City FC (October 18). The midfielder made five starts from October 18 through November 8, notably scoring his first MLS regular-season goal at home against New York City FC (October 18) and netting his second regular-season goal in 2020 at home against the Philadelphia Union (November 1). He also provided the game-winning assist at home against Atlanta United (November 8). In Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs action, Artur made four appearances (all starts): at home against the New York Red Bulls (November 21), against Nashville SC (November 29), against the New England Revolution (December 6) - scoring the game-winning goal - and against Seattle Sounders FC (December 12) during MLS Cup 2020.
* MLS is Back Tournament Group Stage matches counted towards the 2020 MLS regular season
2019 (Columbus): Artur made 30 regular-season appearances (28 starts as a central midfielder) in 2019. He made his 2019 regular-season debut in a home match against the New York Red Bulls (March 2). He started in nine consecutive regular-season home matches, from March 2 (NYRB) – April 24 (D.C. United). Artur returned to the starting lineup for Crew SC during a home contest against Sporting Kansas City (June 23). He made a substitute appearance during a road contest against Real Salt Lake (July 3) coming into the match for David Guzman. Artur returned to the starting lineup and made two consecutive starts for the Black & Gold on July 6 (Seattle Sounders FC) and July 13 (Orlando City SC). Artur returned to the starting XI during a home contest against the Montreal Impact (July 20) and started every game for the Black & Gold until a Decision Day road contest against Toronto FC (October 10), playing every minute of the remaining 12 matches. Artur made two appearances (two starts) in the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (June 11) and Atlanta United (June 18).
2018 (Columbus): Artur made 32 regular-season appearances (31 starts as a central midfielder and one start as a central attacking midfielder) in 2018, providing two assists. He provided the game-winning assist while playing all 90 minutes during the first match of the season on the road against Toronto FC (March 3). He also played all 90 minutes in the second and third matches of the regular season against the Montreal Impact (March 10) and the Philadelphia Union (March 17). Artur registered his second assist of the regular season in a home match against D.C. United (March 24). He played all 90 minutes in four consecutive matches from a home match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC (March 31) to a home match against the New England Revolution (April 21). In a home match against the San Jose Earthquakes (April 28), Artur played 79 minutes before being subbed out by Ricardo Clark. Artur returned to the starting lineup in matches against the Philadelphia Union (May 9), the Chicago Fire (May 12) and the New England Revolution (May 19). Following a road contest against Sporting Kansas City (May 27), Artur was named to MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the Week. He also started in the following five consecutive matches from a home match against Toronto FC (June 2) to a home match against Real Salt Lake (June 30). Artur made a substitute appearance in an international friendly at home against Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa (July 3). He returned to the starting lineup in MLS regular-season action in a road match against New York City FC (July 14), and he continued to start in consecutive matches from a home match against Orlando City SC (July 21) to a home match against Minnesota United FC (October 28). Artur reached his 50th regular-season appearance with Crew SC in the match against FC Dallas (September 15). He made three appearances (all starts as a central midfielder) in the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs. He started in an Eastern Conference Knockout Round match against D.C. United (November 1) and in both legs of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Red Bulls (November 4 and November 11). Artur did not make an appearance in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
2017 (Columbus): Artur made 24 regular-season appearances (19 starts), all coming at center midfield, and recorded three assists. Artur made his team debut coming on as a substitute in the second half of the Opening Match against the Chicago Fire (March 4). Artur made his first start for Crew SC in a road contest against Houston (March 11). Following his appearance against the Portland Timbers (March 25), he was named to MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the Week. He recorded his first career assist, a game-winning assist, for the Black & Gold against Orlando City SC (April 1) and was also named to MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the Week following the match. Artur underwent successful surgery to repair his left wrist after suffering an injury during a road contest against the New York Red Bulls (April 22). He returned to the starting lineup in a road contest against the Montreal Impact (May 13). Artur came on as a substitute in an international friendly match at home against Eintracht Frankfurt (July 14). Artur made three appearances (all starts) at center midfield and registered one goal in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs. He started in a road contest against Atlanta United FC (October 26) in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round and in a home match against New York City FC (October 31) in the First Leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, scoring his first professional goal and his first professional game-winning goal.
2016 (Sao Paulo FC): Artur was promoted to the Sao Paulo FC’s First Team in 2016. He made four appearances (three starts) in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, Brazil’s First Division. Artur’s debut for the club came as a starter in a home match against Flamengo (June 16), where he played the entire match.
YOUTH EXPERIENCE
During his time with Sao Paulo FC’s Under-20 Team, Artur won the Copa do Brasil – Brazil’s Domestic Cup – twice (2015, 2016), the Sao Paulo State Tournament (2016), and the Copa Libertadores – South America’s Continental Cup – (2016). Prior to that, he was with Esporte Clube Bahia’s U-19 side, where he won the U-17 Metropolitan Cup and the U-18 Bahia Championship (2014).
PERSONAL
Artur is the son of Artur and Bernardina. He has three siblings: two brothers and one sister. Artur enjoys all kinds food. He enjoys listening to music and lists pagode, hip-hop, gospel, and sertanejo as his favorites genres. Artur’s favorite movie is 300. He loves playing videogames, specifically the Pro Evolution Soccer and Call of Duty franchises. His hobbies include reading, playing tennis, and footvolley. Artur’s favorite place in the world his home state of Bahia, known worldwide for its beaches. When he was a kid, Artur looked up to Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho. His favorite soccer memory is getting his first professional start with Sao Paulo FC against Flamengo. Artur speaks Portuguese, English and some Spanish.
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC acquires midfielder Artur on a permanent transfer from Sao Paulo FC on December 6, 2017.
Name: Artur de Lima Junior (are-TOUR)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 154
Born: March 11, 1996 in Brumado, Bahia
Hometown: Salvador, Bahia
Citizenship: Brazil
Acquired: Originally arrived on loan from Sao Paulo FC on February 13, 2017 and was acquired on a permanent transfer on December 6, 2017. Artur occupies an international roster slot on Crew SC’s roster.
Previous Experience: Sao Paulo FC (2015-2016)
