New Faces at St. Louis City SC: Meet the Latest Signings

New St. Louis City SC Signing Dante Polvara after transferring from Aberdeen F.C

Dante Polvara, CB

What’s His Deal?

Let’s kick things off with Dante Polvara. This American talent grew up in the NYCFC academy, joining at the age of 14. After honing his skills, he played collegiate soccer at Georgetown before heading overseas to join Aberdeen in Scotland. While he primarily served as a bench player, he made a name for himself with a perfect penalty strike during shootouts for the Scottish Cup.

What’s He Good At?

Polvara stands tall at 6’4”, but he admits he was a “little frail” back in his academy and college days. In a physical league like the Scottish Premier, that just won’t cut it. So, he bulked up and found balance. His defensive stats are impressive, averaging nearly two tackles per 90 minutes (1.8) and almost identical clearances (1.7). However, his passing stats leave something to be desired, with only 0.4 key passes per 90.

What’s He Gonna Do for CITY?

Thanks to the fantastic reporting from Tom Timmerman and insights from Corey Wray, we know Polvara will primarily play as a center-back for STL CITY SC. His height, combined with his growth in Scotland and solid defensive numbers, makes him a perfect fit. New head coach Yoann Damet seems poised to implement a 3-man backline, which requires center-backs who can play wider and push into midfield to support attacks. Polvara has the experience and physicality to excel in this role.

Official St. Louis CITY SC graphics announcing the transfer of Mamadou Mbacke Fall from Barcelona B, shared on the club’s official page.

Mamadou Mbacke (Fall), CB

What’s His Deal?

Mamadou Mbacke, now simply known as Mamadou, has made a name for himself as a formidable defender. He arrived in the U.S. to play prep at Monteverde Academy before being signed by LAFC at just 18. After three seasons in the USL Championship and MLS, he moved to La Liga’s Villarreal and then to Barcelona’s second team, making one senior appearance with Villarreal in 2023.

What’s He Good At?

Mbacke is an aerial threat on the backline. Though his total header numbers across nearly 3,000 MLS minutes aren’t jaw-dropping, he scored five goals in a 30-game stretch as a teenager! His passing numbers are impressive too; he’s one of the best progressive passing center-backs in the league. While he takes risks, he opens up angles that most center-backs wouldn’t even consider. Defensively, he holds his own with over 1.5 in adjusted blocks, interceptions, and tackles, placing him between above-average and great in all three categories.

What’s He Gonna Do for CITY?

Mbacke brings solid defense, dangerous passing, and an aerial threat on set pieces—qualities CITY has lacked in recent years. As a right-footed player, he’ll complement Fallou Fall, another tall and rangy defender. Together with Baumgartl or Polvara, they form a versatile center-back group. With above-average passing and speed, they can keep up with anyone in the league, making them a formidable force.

Official St. Louis CITY SC graphics announcing the transfer of Rafael Santos, shared on the club’s official page.

Rafael Santos, LWB

What’s His Deal?

Rafael Santos kicked off his career in Brazil, bouncing between five clubs in six years across Serie A and Serie B. He then made his way to Orlando City for the 2023 season, racking up 75 matches and 52 starts before moving to the Rapids in the summer of 2025.

What’s He Good At?

Santos excels at attacking down the left flank. He’s known for his ability to whip in crosses consistently. In Brazil, he averaged between six and eleven crosses per 90 minutes! In the U.S., his highest rate was around four crosses per 90, which would have ranked him behind only Marcel Hartel on CITY in 2025. Plus, his set-piece skills have already shone through in CITY’s preseason, where he scored a free-kick goal shortly after arriving.

What’s He Gonna Do for CITY?

With a 3-man backline, you need solid wingbacks, and Santos fits the bill perfectly. He’s going to get up and down the left side better than perhaps any player in CITY history. The experience he brings is unmatched in the club’s short history. Last year’s odd-man defense may have left some fans nervous, but Santos is the exact player profile CITY needed. In his busiest MLS season (2024), he ranked near the top of the league in deliveries into the penalty area while maintaining above-average numbers in fouls, progressive carries, passing, and adjusted interceptions. With Santos on the left, the offense should flourish, especially when paired with Conrad Wallem and Tomas Totland.

Danny Edelman’s first St. Louis media scrum after transferring from Red Bull New York, speaking with reporters about joining STL City SC.

Daniel Edelman, CM

What’s His Deal?

Another American midfielder from the New York area, Daniel Edelman, is making waves. He grew up in the NY Red Bulls system, debuting with their second team at just 16. After 39 appearances, he broke into the senior team in midseason 2022 at only 18. Since then, he’s logged over 6,000 MLS minutes, making him the second most experienced outfield player on the roster, despite not yet turning 23.

What’s He Good At?

Edelman has built a solid reputation as a ball-winning midfielder. He finished near the top for MLS midfielders in interceptions and aerial duels in 2025. While his passing numbers are average to above-average, his consistency is noteworthy, especially after the roster fluctuations in St. Louis over the last two seasons.

What’s He Gonna Do for CITY?

Edelman aims to be a different player in St. Louis than what the Big Apple experienced. In his first media appearance, he emphasized his growth as a ball-mover and passer. He wants to be more of a facilitator rather than just a ball-winning “6”. With Edu Löwen and a motivated Chris Durkin in the midfield, Edelman could be the perfect link. If CITY opts for a double pivot, he provides more passing punch than Durkin. However, it remains to be seen if he and Edu can handle the defensive duties alone. With Dante Polvara, a DM-turned-CB, potentially behind them, the midfield dynamics could shift dramatically.

In conclusion, these new signings bring a fresh wave of talent to St. Louis City SC. Each player has unique skills and experiences that will undoubtedly contribute to the team's success. As we gear up for the season, the excitement is palpable.

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