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What an incredible start to the week it has been for Orlando City SC supporters who were treated to the big name signing of Justin Meram earlier today.
A marquee arrival having chalked up 188 regular season appearances for Columbus Crew since 2011, the Iraq international has become our tenth signing in an incredibly busy off-season.
Coming to the 4⃣0⃣7⃣…
See you soon @JustinMeram. 😈 #WelcomeMeram pic.twitter.com/7tSxRztkWs
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 29, 2018
Scoring a brace against the Lions in our first away fixture of last season, Justin Meram showcased what a dangerous winger he is on his day.
A left winger by trade, Justin Meram can also play as a right winger or a centre forward and it will be interesting to see how he fits into Jason Kreis‘ starting eleven.
If Kreis is to persist with his favoured diamond midfield formation, we wonder whether Orlando City SC’s strongest starting eleven could look something like this.
Current thoughts… 💭#OCSC #VamosOrlando #MLS pic.twitter.com/KaFxuK0NVU
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 29, 2018
Justin Meram has been on an upward trajectory in recent seasons with the Michigan native registering 13 goals and seven assists last season. In 2016, the 29-year-old notched five goals and 13 assists.
No stranger to experiencing the MLS Cup Playoffs in recent years, the signing of Justin Meram, not to mention Sacha Kljestan‘s arrival underlines Orlando City SC‘s ambition to reach the post season for the very first time.
— Justin Meram (@JustinMeram) January 29, 2018
Also playing on the international stage with Iraq, the country of his heritage since 2014, Justin Meram has earned 25 caps with the Lions of Mesopotamia to date.
A member of the Iraq squad that finished fourth at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Justin Meram doesn’t only bring goals and assists but experience and leadership qualities that will prove vital in Jason Kreis‘ locker room.
With the Orlando City SC Twittersphere on cloud nine following Justin Meram‘s arrival in The City Beautiful, Orlando City UK gathered the best tweets below…
Got assists!? 😝@Ddwyer14 likes this…#OCSC #MLS pic.twitter.com/CLihyEoUpq
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 29, 2018
A number 9 of RESPECT https://t.co/S54hiWyBC9
— Alex Leitao (@alexleitao) January 29, 2018
Dwyer, then Kljestan and Colman, now Meram! #VamosOrlando #OCSC @OrlandoCitySC @Orlando_CityUK pic.twitter.com/TsARRS3L4I
— Harry Salvidge (@H_Salvidge14) January 29, 2018
Incredible signing 🙌🏼
— Charlotte (@KirbyHazard) January 29, 2018
He comes with a big salary as well though. He just signed a multi-year contract extension with The Crew in March I think. :/ hopefully not to much has to be shuffled for him.
— Ted (@Essenceofjudas) January 29, 2018
Class player, the proven quality we needed
— David Manock (@dmanock) January 29, 2018
Rate this signing👏🏻 team is coming together nicely, still wary about to defence though 🦁 https://t.co/PR8XmhsT4y
— Jake (@jakemillard21) January 29, 2018
Great signing! https://t.co/cAKrkVS02P
— Dan Berridge (@DanBerridge) January 29, 2018
I don’t know about anyone else but this @OrlandoCitySC team is starting to look absolutely filthy in the attacking half of the pitch 🔥🔥🔥 if we if we get another CB. I honestly feel like we will have a deep run in the MLS playoffs 🦁💜 @TheRoarPod @Orlando_CityUK @IronLionFirm
— Bryce Miller (@Brmill2) January 29, 2018
@OrlandoCitySC sending a message to @MLS that we are here to win it all! #yesyesyes 😈🙌🏼🦁 #vamosorlando pic.twitter.com/qM7fxYoA6u
— Jose Desantiago (@jdes1993) January 29, 2018
Orlando City today be like pic.twitter.com/sak5WzQw2u
— City Beautiful Game (@citybeautifulsc) January 29, 2018
Well done @alexleitao and @OrlandoCitySC . @JustinMeram is a fantastic signing! Glad you are here Justin! pic.twitter.com/IFB9ezxiLj
— Tom Traxler (@ttrax15) January 29, 2018
2 – Justin Meram is one of two #MLS players with 40+ goals, 30+ assists and 200+ completed dribbles since the start of 2011 (inc. playoffs). Adept. pic.twitter.com/o3thfh6Eok
— OptaJack (@OptaJack) January 29, 2018