HARRISON, N.J. – The Red Bulls extended loan of Brazilian forward Fábio from Oeste F.C. to the end of the Major League Soccer season, the club announced Thursday.

New York has am option to purchase Fábio ‘s contract at the end of the loan.

“We are very happy to extend Fábio through the end of this season,” Red Bulls head of sport Kevin Thelwell said in statement. “He has been able to fit in with the team, both on-and-off the field, in such a short amount of time and hope to have continued success while he is here.”

Fábio, 24, has made an immediate impact since joining the team on February 5. The Brazilian has tallied four assists in seven appearances. He recorded back-to-back two-assist performances in consecutive 2-0 wins at Red Bull Arena. Fábio’s four assists are tied for second the league with Seattle’s João Paulo, one behind league-leader Carles Gil.

“We have a big trust in Fábio and excited to have him for the remainder of the year,” head coach Gerhard Struber said in a statement. “He has been able to learn our system and make an impact already. We hope to see more success from him throughout the year.”

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.