BIOGRAPHY
Walter Varela returns to Portland Hearts of Pine for his second season and served as a key player in the Hearts front line during the 2025 season.
The winger played 26 games and recorded 2 goals and 2 assists during the Hearts inaugural season, including the club’s first-ever goal against CD Faialense.
Varela attended the U-16 National Team camp, and after moving to the US, he began a collegiate career at Bunker Hill Community College. It was there that he was named to the collegiate Division III All-American Team in 2018. He played for two seasons, scoring 22 goals in 21 appearances, also tallying four assists.
Varela continued to develop his skill set in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) with Valeo FC and in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) with Brockton FC. In 2022, he joined Albion San Diego in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). Over the course of the season, he made 19 appearances, scoring three goals and contributing four assists. His performance that year earned him a place on the 2022 NISA Best XI Second Team and a move to Chattanooga Red Wolves in USL League One.
